Physician Assistant jobs in Billings, MT
Physician Assistants in the Billings area earn a median of $65.69 per hour, about $136,640 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $59.89 and $65.69. That ranks 78th of 329 U.S. metro areas for physician assistant pay, and 52nd of 301 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Billings. The free report below lists employers near Billings and what they pay.
- $65.69median pay per hour, Billings
- $60–$66typical range per hour
- 160physician assistants employed in the metro area
- 94cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Physician Assistant pay in Billings, MT
The metro median is 3% above the Montana statewide median of $63.93 per hour. Nationally the median is $64.07 per hour. BLS counts about 160 physician assistants employed in the Billings metro area, 1.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.70).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $53.62 | $111,530 | 16% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $59.89 | $124,570 | 7% below U.S. median |
| Median | $65.69 | $136,640 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $65.69 | $136,640 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $73.60 | $153,090 | 15% above U.S. median |
How Billings ranks
- 78th of 329 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 52nd of 301 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 5 Montana metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Billings
- Overall prices in Billings run 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.5, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 23% below the U.S. average (index 77.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $65.69 median hour buys what $70.24 buys at the national price level, 10% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Billings Physician Assistant pay report
Named employers near Billings, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Billings paycheck
- Per year: $118,242
- Per month: $9,854
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Billings metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Billings
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel physician assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Billings
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Billings, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of physician assistants.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings Clinic Hospital Billings, MT | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital Billings, MT | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Yellowstone County
HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Yellowstone County (3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 21 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Physician Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | 121 mi | $65.58/hr | 57,894 |
| Great Falls, MT | 176 mi | $58.69/hr | 60,013 |
| Casper, WY | 232 mi | $59.03/hr | 58,823 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 234 mi | $59.79/hr | 69,523 |
| Missoula, MT | 272 mi | $60.70/hr | 78,204 |
| Pocatello, ID | 279 mi | $58.42/hr | 58,231 |
Physician Assistant jobs in Montana · Physician Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Montana
Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Montana requires for your role with the Montana licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Montana taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Billings
Billings city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do physician assistants make in Billings, MT?
Physician Assistants in the Billings metro area have a median pay of $65.69 per hour, about $136,640 a year. The middle half earn between $59.89 and $65.69 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Billings a good place for physician assistants once cost of living is counted?
Billings ranks 52nd of 301 metro areas for physician assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 78th of 329 before adjusting. Overall prices run 6% below the U.S. average.
Where do physician assistants work in Billings?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Billings, led by Billings Clinic Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Montana license to work in Billings as a physician assistant?
Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Montana requires for your role with the Montana licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Billings in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Yellowstone County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Billings?
The federal per diem benchmark in Billings is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place physician assistants in Billings?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Billings and across Montana. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Billings.
What do employers near Billings pay physician assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ Physician Assistant roles in Montana, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your PA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Montana list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Stanford Children's HealthPALO ALTO, CA · 4 postings$104.30/ hr$94–$115
- Valley Children's HealthcareMadera, CA · 3 postings$103.69/ hr$75–$123
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 4 postings$100.70/ hr$86–$108
- Sharp HealthCareLa Mesa, CA · 3 postings$92.12/ hr$80–$104
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Montana list
2What they are offering now
426 PA postings with published pay in the US, 356 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open PA roles
Open PA roles near Billings, MT, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.