Physician Assistant salary in Montana
Physician Assistants in Montana earn a median of $141,470 a year ($68.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $135,880. Montana ranks 11th of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 1.2 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $140,800, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,200 | $53.94 |
| 25th percentile | $129,750 | $62.38 |
| Median | $141,470 | $68.02 |
| 75th percentile | $156,350 | $75.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,560 | $79.60 |
| Average (mean) | $140,800 | $67.69 |
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 | $11,789.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,894.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,441.15 |
| Weekly | $2,720.58 |
| Hourly | $68.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $141,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $141,800 | 80 |
| Billings, MT | $141,470 | 150 |
| Missoula, MT | $134,990 | 90 |
| Helena, MT | $134,030 | 70 |
| Great Falls, MT | $132,740 | 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,210 | $65.97 |
| Pharmacist | $142,080 | $68.31 |
| Physical Therapist | $91,450 | $43.97 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Physicians, All Other | $438,850 | $210.99 |
| Veterinarian | $99,390 | $47.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $330,760 | $159.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $88,990 | $42.79 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Dentists, General | $167,200 | $80.39 |
| Chiropractor | $76,120 | $36.60 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,580 | $34.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for physician assistants in Montana is $141,470 a year, or $68.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Montana?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Montana earn at least $165,560 a year. The top 25% earn $156,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,200 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $129,750 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Montana?
About 600 physician assistants are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.