Physician Assistant
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Also called: Cardiology Physician Assistant · Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) · Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA) · Family Practice Physician Assistant · Orthopaedic Physician Assistant · Orthopedic Physician Assistant · Physician Assistant (PA) · Physician's Assistant
O*NET-SOC 29-1071.00 (Physician Assistants)
Physician Assistant salary
Wages for physician assistants across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $65.33.
Physician Assistant pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $99,380 | $165,650 | $225,190 |
| Texas | $102,650 | $134,550 | $169,000 |
| Florida | $98,530 | $129,620 | $181,610 |
| New York | $106,440 | $160,880 | $201,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,050 | $127,070 | $158,690 |
| Illinois | $105,160 | $131,950 | $162,330 |
| Ohio | $96,460 | $132,090 | $210,350 |
| Georgia | $62,230 | $115,390 | $172,050 |
| North Carolina | $101,100 | $129,360 | $164,770 |
| Michigan | $104,000 | $131,510 | $162,570 |
Physician Assistant job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 168,900 jobs in 2025 to 204,600 in 2035 (21% change).
- About 11,500 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Bright (Rapid Growth).
How to become a physician assistant
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- No on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Less than high school diploma1%
- High school diploma or equivalent2.5%
- Some college, no degree1.5%
- Associate's degree1.5%
- Bachelor's degree16%
- Master's degree62.5%
- Doctoral or professional degree15%
Related training programs
- Acute Care Medicine Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Acute Care Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Cardiology Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Combined Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Critical Care Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Critical Care and Trauma Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- ENT Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Family Medicine Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Geriatrics Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Hematology-Oncology Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
What does a physician assistant do?
Common tasks
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
- Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
- Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
Most important skills
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Understanding people's reactions.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Service Orientation
- Looking for ways to help people.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Physician Assistant certifications
8 of 17 certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants · Specialty
- Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution · Core
- The National Certification Corporation · Specialty
- National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants · Specialty
- National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants · Specialty
- Healthcare CPD Associate (HCPD)Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professionals · Core
- National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants · Specialty
- Vascular Access-Board Certified (VA-BC)Vascular Access Certification Corporation · Core · In demand
See all 17certifications in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder
Physician Assistant jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more physicians & medical officers jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Physicians & Medical Officers jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
- Physician
- Pediatric Surgeons
- Cardiologists
- Nurse Practitioner
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
- General Internal Medicine Physicians
- Pediatricians, General
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
More physicians & medical officers careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Physician Assistants. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.