The Physician Assistant (PA) role is consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing and most rewarding careers in healthcare. Offering a unique blend of patient care autonomy and collaborative teamwork, this profession attracts individuals passionate about medicine. But beyond the personal fulfillment, a PA career offers significant financial stability and growth. Nationally, physician assistants earn a median salary well over six figures, with top earners exceeding $170,000 annually.
This guide will break down what you can expect to earn as a physician assistant, exploring the key factors that influence your salary—most notably, where you choose to practice.
What Does a Physician Assistant Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the role. Physician Assistants are licensed medical professionals who diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. They work in partnership with physicians and other healthcare workers in virtually every medical setting and specialty.
Key responsibilities include:
- Taking patient medical histories
- Conducting physical exams
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests (like x-rays or blood work)
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses
- Prescribing medication
- Assisting in surgeries
- Providing patient education and counseling
The versatility of the PA profession allows individuals to switch specialties throughout their careers, moving from family medicine to dermatology to emergency medicine without the need for new, lengthy residencies.
Average Physician Assistant Salary
The earning potential for a PA is strong and continues to grow. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released in May 2023 (reflecting May 2022 data), the national figures for Physician Assistants are as follows:
- Median Annual Salary: $126,010
- Average Annual Salary: $125,270
- Salary Range: The lowest 10% earned less than $80,310, while the top 10% of earners brought in more than $168,930.
Salary aggregator sites provide a similar real-time snapshot. For instance, Salary.com places the median PA salary closer to $131,048 as of early 2024, with a typical range falling between $120,642 and $144,112. This difference often reflects more recent, user-reported data compared to the BLS's comprehensive survey.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
While the national average provides a great baseline, your actual earnings as a PA can vary significantly. Several key factors determine your specific salary potential.
### Geographic Location
Where you practice is one of the single biggest determinants of your income. Demand, cost of living, and state-level regulations all contribute to wide salary variations across the country. States with a high demand for healthcare providers or a higher cost of living often offer more competitive salaries to attract talent.
Based on the BLS May 2022 data, the top-paying states for Physician Assistants are:
1. Washington: $145,390 (Average Annual Salary)
2. California: $144,520
3. Alaska: $144,460
4. Connecticut: $141,790
5. Nevada: $141,360
It's crucial to balance these high salaries against the cost of living in each state. A $145,000 salary in Seattle, Washington will have different purchasing power than a $130,000 salary in a state with a lower cost of living, like Texas ($126,390 average).
Furthermore, metropolitan areas almost always offer higher pay than rural or nonmetropolitan areas. For example, the BLS reports that PAs in the Salinas, CA metro area earn an average of $169,210, well above the national average.
### Years of Experience
Like most professions, experience pays. As you accumulate clinical experience, your value to an employer increases, directly impacting your earning potential.
According to data from Payscale, the salary progression for a PA looks something like this:
- Entry-Level (0-1 year): Approximately $101,000
- Early Career (1-4 years): Approximately $112,000
- Mid-Career (5-9 years): Approximately $123,000
- Experienced (10-19 years): Approximately $130,000
- Late Career (20+ years): Approximately $135,000+
These figures demonstrate a steady and reliable increase in income as you build your skills and reputation in the field.
### Area of Specialization
Your chosen medical specialty has a profound effect on your salary. PAs in high-demand, procedure-heavy specialties tend to earn significantly more than those in primary care.
The 2023 AAPA (American Academy of Physician Associates) Salary Report highlights this variance. While this data is based on PAs who are AAPA members, it provides an excellent look at specialty-based compensation. Some of the highest-paying specialties include:
- Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery: $152,500 (Median Base Salary)
- Dermatology: $145,000
- Emergency Medicine: $133,530
- Surgical Subspecialties (e.g., Orthopedics, Neurosurgery): $130,000 - $140,000+
In contrast, specialties like Family Medicine ($115,000) and Pediatrics ($112,500) typically have lower median salaries, though they often offer a better work-life balance.
### Company Type / Work Setting
The environment where you work also plays a role. PAs are employed in a variety of settings, from small private practices to large hospital networks. According to the BLS, the top-paying work settings for Physician Assistants are:
- Outpatient Care Centers: $134,530 (Average Annual Salary)
- Scientific Research and Development Services: $131,330
- Hospitals (state, local, and private): $128,430
- Offices of Physicians: $122,100
Working for a larger hospital system or a specialized outpatient clinic often yields a higher salary and more robust benefits package compared to a smaller private practice.
### Level of Education
For Physician Assistants, the standard for entry into the profession is a Master's degree from an accredited PA program. Unlike some fields where a doctorate dramatically increases earning potential, the Master's degree is the terminal clinical degree for most PAs. While some PAs pursue a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), this degree is more often focused on leadership, education, or research and does not necessarily guarantee a higher clinical salary at this time, though it can open doors to higher-paying administrative roles.
Job Outlook
The future for Physician Assistants is exceptionally bright. The BLS projects that employment for PAs will grow by 27% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
This translates to about 12,200 openings for PAs projected each year, on average, over the decade. This incredible growth is driven by an aging population, an increased focus on preventative care, and the need to expand healthcare access to underserved communities. The PA profession is a critical solution to the physician shortage in the United States.
Conclusion
A career as a Physician Assistant is a superb choice for those seeking a dynamic, impactful, and financially secure role in medicine. With a strong six-figure median salary and a job market projected to grow at a staggering rate, the stability and opportunity in this field are undeniable.
For prospective PAs and those already in the field, it’s clear that your earning potential is not a single, fixed number. By strategically considering your geographic location, gaining valuable experience, and choosing a high-demand specialty, you can significantly shape your financial future and build a prosperous and fulfilling career.