Physician Assistant salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Physician Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $136,120 a year ($65.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,960 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $135,130. There are 0.94 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| 25th percentile | $124,080 | $59.65 |
| Median | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| 75th percentile | $164,700 | $79.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| Average (mean) | $137,450 | $66.08 |
Half of physician assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,343.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,671.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,235.38 |
| Weekly | $2,617.69 |
| Hourly | $65.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin, MO-KS | $150,300 | 70 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $141,080 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $139,950 | 120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $138,060 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $137,420 | 110 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $135,340 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $133,750 | 50 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $133,350 | 540 |
| Peoria, IL | $133,170 | 110 |
| Columbia, MO | $132,220 | 140 |
| Springfield, MO | $129,270 | 300 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $127,940 | 3,050 |
| Rockford, IL | $127,800 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $124,990 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Veterinarian | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,300 | $111.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for physician assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $136,120 a year, or $65.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $170,960 a year. The top 25% earn $164,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,620 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $124,080 or less.
How many physician assistants work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 1,260 physician assistants are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.