Physician Assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Their job description includes conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering and interpreting tests, assisting in surgery, counseling patients on preventive healthcare, and prescribing medications. PAs work in various medical settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and physician offices, to provide primary and specialty care to patients across the lifespan.
This income data is sourced from the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The dataset is updated annually.
Annual Pay Distribution | Salary |
|---|---|
10th percentile | $80,940.00 |
25th percentile | $96,800.00 |
median (50th percentile) | $112,390.00 |
75th percentile | $135,890.00 |
90th percentile | $148,420.00 |
Hourly Pay Distribution | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
10th percentile | $38.91 |
25th percentile | $46.54 |
median (50th percentile) | $54.04 |
75th percentile | $65.33 |
90th percentile | $71.35 |
Physician Assistants typically need a master's degree from an accredited program, which usually takes about two years to complete after completing a bachelor's degree. While specific prerequisites vary by program, most require prior healthcare experience and some college coursework in science-related fields. Therefore, one needs to have completed both high school and college to pursue this career. Physician Assistant programs include classroom instruction and clinical rotations in various medical specialties, covering areas such as pathology, pharmacology, physical diagnosis, and medical ethics. After completing the program, aspiring PAs must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to obtain state licensure, followed by ongoing continuing education to maintain certification.