A career as a Physician Assistant (PA) is one of the most dynamic, rewarding, and in-demand paths in modern healthcare. Offering a unique blend of autonomy and collaborative practice, PAs are essential members of medical teams across every specialty imaginable. Beyond the personal fulfillment of patient care, the profession provides significant financial stability and growth. Nationally, Physician Assistants earn an average salary of over $130,000 per year, with top earners in high-demand specialties and locations exceeding $170,000.
This guide will break down the salary you can expect as a PA, the key factors that influence your earning potential, and the bright future this career holds.
*Note: While the query "pa state employee salaries" can be ambiguous, this article focuses on the profession of Physician Assistant (PA), as it is a specific, high-growth career path with extensive salary data available.*
What Does a Physician Assistant Do?
Physician Assistants are licensed medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. Working in partnership with physicians, PAs practice with a significant degree of autonomy. Their responsibilities are vast and vary by specialty, but typically include:
- Taking comprehensive patient medical histories.
- Conducting physical exams and ordering diagnostic tests.
- Interpreting test results and making diagnoses.
- Prescribing medication and developing treatment strategies.
- Performing in-office procedures and assisting in surgeries.
- Providing patient education and counseling.
The versatility of the PA role allows them to work in virtually any medical setting, from fast-paced emergency rooms and surgical suites to family medicine clinics and specialized outpatient offices.
Average Physician Assistant Salary
The financial outlook for Physician Assistants is exceptionally strong. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for Physician Assistants was $130,490 as of May 2023.
Of course, this median figure is just the midpoint. A typical salary range for a PA provides a clearer picture of earning potential throughout a career:
- Entry-Level (Bottom 10%): PAs just starting their careers can expect to earn around $87,170.
- Mid-Career to Senior (Top 10%): Experienced PAs, particularly those in high-paying specialties or leadership roles, can earn more than $171,530.
Reputable salary aggregators provide similar figures. For example, Salary.com reports the average PA salary in the U.S. to be around $129,906 as of May 2024, with a common range falling between $120,700 and $141,857.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
The national average provides a great benchmark, but your actual salary as a PA will be influenced by a combination of critical factors. Understanding these variables can help you maximize your earning potential.
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Level of Education
To become a PA, a Master's degree from an Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) accredited program is the standard and required level of education. While a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for entry, the master's is the terminal degree for clinical practice.
In recent years, the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) has emerged as an optional advanced degree. While a DMSc can open doors to leadership, administrative, and academic roles, its direct impact on the clinical salary of a practicing PA is still evolving. Currently, for purely clinical work, there is not a significant salary difference between a master's-prepared PA and a doctorate-prepared PA. The primary driver of salary remains experience and specialization.
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Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant factors in salary progression. As PAs gain clinical expertise and confidence, their value to an organization increases, which is reflected in their compensation.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): New graduates can expect to earn a salary on the lower end of the national range, typically from $110,000 to $120,000, as they build their skills.
- Mid-Career (5-9 years): With solid experience, PAs often see their salaries climb to or above the national median, reaching the $125,000 to $140,000 range.
- Experienced (10+ years): Senior PAs with over a decade of experience, especially those who take on mentorship or leadership responsibilities, can command salaries well over $145,000.
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Geographic Location
Where you choose to practice has a major impact on your paycheck. Salaries often correspond with local demand and cost of living. According to BLS data, the top-paying states for Physician Assistants include:
- Washington
- California
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Nevada
However, it's crucial to weigh salary against the cost of living. A $150,000 salary in a high-cost metropolitan area like San Francisco may have less purchasing power than a $135,000 salary in a lower-cost region. Furthermore, rural and underserved areas may offer competitive salaries, sign-on bonuses, and loan repayment programs to attract qualified PAs.
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Practice Setting
The type of facility where a PA works is a powerful salary determinant. Different environments come with varying levels of acuity, responsibility, and reimbursement models. Data from the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Salary Report consistently shows that PAs in outpatient and hospital settings tend to earn more.
- Outpatient Offices/Clinics: Often the highest-paying setting, particularly for surgical or dermatological subspecialties.
- Hospitals (Inpatient): Offer competitive salaries, often with benefits like shift differentials for night or weekend work.
- Urgent Care Centers: A growing field with strong earning potential due to the fast-paced, high-demand environment.
- Academic Medical Centers: Salaries may be slightly lower than in private practice but are often compensated with robust benefits packages and opportunities for research and teaching.
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Area of Specialization
Specialty choice is arguably the most influential factor in a PA's earning potential. PAs in procedural and highly specialized fields tend to command the highest salaries. Based on the 2023 AAPA Salary Report, some of the top-paying specialties include:
- Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery: Often exceeds $159,000.
- Dermatology: Averages around $150,000.
- Emergency Medicine: Typically in the $140,000 - $145,000 range.
- Critical Care: Averages over $144,000.
In contrast, vital primary care specialties, while still offering excellent salaries, tend to be on the lower end of the specialty spectrum. For example, PAs in Family Medicine and Pediatrics typically earn a median salary closer to $115,000 - $120,000.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for Physician Assistants is nothing short of phenomenal. The BLS projects that employment for PAs will grow by 27% from 2022 to 2032, a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations.
This explosive growth is driven by several factors:
- An aging population requiring more healthcare services.
- An increased focus on preventative care.
- The cost-effectiveness and efficiency of PAs within healthcare teams.
- A physician shortage in many parts of the country.
This high demand translates into exceptional job security and abundant opportunities for PAs across all specialties and geographic locations.
Conclusion
Choosing a career as a Physician Assistant is a path toward a professionally and financially rewarding future. With a national median salary comfortably over $130,000 and a job market projected to grow at an incredible rate, the profession offers both stability and opportunity.
For prospective PAs and those already in the field, the key takeaway is that your earning potential is largely in your hands. By strategically considering your choice of specialty, practice location, and by committing to gaining valuable experience, you can build a fulfilling and lucrative career that makes a tangible difference in the lives of your patients.