Healthcare Helena, MT Pop. 32,315

Physician Assistant Salary in Helena, Montana

The median physician assistant salary in Helena, MT is $115,929 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 1.1% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$115,929
vs State Avg
$-1,260
vs National
$-10,081
Cost of Living
94%

Physician Assistant Pay in Helena: What to Expect (2026)

Helena offers a median physician assistant salary of $115,929, which is $1,260 below the Montana state average of $117,189. Compared to the national median of $126,010, Helena pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Helena's cost of living is 94% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physician assistants in Helena spans from $77,280 at the 10th percentile to $160,080 at the 90th percentile — a $82,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $80,960, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $149,040. Helena is a smaller market (pop. 32,315), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physician Assistant Salary in Helena by Experience

In Helena, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $80,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $149,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$80,960
$-7,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,920
$-10,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$149,040
$-12,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Helena, MT

Percentile Helena
10th Percentile $77,280
25th Percentile $97,520
Median (50th) $115,929
75th Percentile $138,920
90th Percentile $160,080

Physician Assistant Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$142,391
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$126,010
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$118,449
Pop. 117,116
Great Falls, MT
$108,369
Pop. 60,442

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Helena

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Helena and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Helena may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Helena

Browse open physician assistant positions in Helena, MT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Helena

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Helena, MT? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Helena, Montana is $115,929 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $77,280 (10th percentile) to $160,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Helena? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,929, a physician assistant in Helena earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Helena compare to the Montana state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Helena's median physician assistant salary of $115,929 is 1.1% below the Montana state average of $117,189. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Helena, MT? ▼
Helena has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a physician assistant salary of $115,929 in Helena has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Helena? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Helena require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.