What is the Average Physician Assistant Salary?

If you are interested in becoming a physician assistant (PA), you may wonder how much you can expect to earn in this profession. A physician assistant is a medical professional who works under the supervision of a physician and can perform many of the same tasks, such as diagnosing and treating patients, prescribing medications, ordering tests, and performing procedures. PAs work in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, private practices, and specialty areas.

In this article, we will explore the average physician assistant salary in the United States, as well as the factors that affect it, such as education, experience, location, and specialty. We will also provide some tips on how to increase your earning potential as a PA.

What is the Average Physician Assistant Salary in the United States?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for physician assistants was $115,390 in May 2020. This means that half of the PAs earned more than this amount and half earned less. The lowest 10% of PAs earned less than $76,700, while the highest 10% earned more than $162,470.

The average physician assistant salary may vary depending on the source of data. For example, according to ZipRecruiter, an online job platform, the average annual salary for PAs was $106,874 as of December 2021. According to Indeed, another online job platform, the average annual salary for PAs was $112,581 as of December 2021.

The average physician assistant salary may also vary depending on the type of employer. According to the BLS, the top-paying industries for PAs in May 2020 were:

• Outpatient care centers: $125,410
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $117,850
• Offices of physicians: $115,560
• Educational services: $114,780
• Employment services: $111,610

What Factors Affect the Physician Assistant Salary?

The average physician assistant salary may be influenced by several factors, such as:

• Education: To become a PA, you need to complete a master’s degree program from an accredited PA school. The program typically takes two to three years and includes coursework and clinical rotations in various medical specialties. The cost of PA education may vary depending on the school and the state. According to the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the average cost of PA education for resident students was $79,941 for public schools and $97,426 for private schools in 2019-2020.
• Experience: As with most professions, PAs with more experience tend to earn more than those with less experience. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for entry-level PAs (with less than one year of experience) was $86,506 as of December 2021. The average annual salary for mid-level PAs (with one to four years of experience) was $103,472. The average annual salary for senior PAs (with five to nine years of experience) was $116,006. The average annual salary for expert PAs (with 10 or more years of experience) was $126,003.
• Location: The average physician assistant salary may also vary depending on the state and city where you work. According to the BLS, the top-paying states for PAs in May 2020 were:
  • Connecticut: $137,060
  • Washington: $129,520
  • Alaska: $128,530
  • New Hampshire: $127,030
  • California: $126,890

According to ZipRecruiter, some of the top-paying cities for PAs as of December 2021 were:

• • San Francisco, CA: $125,430
  • New York City, NY: $118,576
  • Seattle, WA: $116,006
  • Boston, MA: $114,780
  • Los Angeles, CA: $113,554

• Specialty: The average physician assistant salary may also vary depending on the medical specialty that you choose to work in. According to ZipRecruiter, some of the highest-paying specialties for PAs as of December 2021 were:
  • Dermatology: $135,000
  • Cardiology: $125,000
  • Emergency Medicine: $120,000
  • Oncology: $120,000
  • Surgery: $115,000

How to Increase Your Earning Potential as a Physician Assistant

If you want to increase your earning potential as a PA, you may consider the following tips:

• Pursue additional education or certification: You may enhance your skills and knowledge by pursuing additional education or certification in your field of interest. For example, you may obtain a doctoral degree in PA studies, which may provide you with advanced clinical and leadership competencies. You may also obtain a specialty certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), which may demonstrate your proficiency and expertise in a specific area of medicine. Some of the specialty certifications offered by the NCCPA are:

• • Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Orthopedic Surgery

• Negotiate your salary and benefits: You may increase your income by negotiating your salary and benefits with your employer. You may research the market rates for PAs in your area and specialty, and use this information to support your request. You may also consider other factors, such as your education, experience, performance, and contributions to the organization. You may also negotiate for other benefits, such as bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing, paid time off, health insurance, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities.
• Seek additional opportunities: You may increase your income by seeking additional opportunities to work as a PA. For example, you may work part-time or per diem at another facility or practice, or you may work as a locum tenens PA, which means that you fill in for another PA who is absent or on leave. You may also work as a telehealth PA, which means that you provide care to patients remotely using technology. You may also work as a consultant, educator, researcher, or administrator in the health care field.

Read Also: UMass Amherst Acceptance Rate: What You Need to Know

Conclusion

The average physician assistant salary in the United States is $115,390 per year, according to the BLS. However, this figure may vary depending on several factors, such as education, experience, location, and specialty. To increase your earning potential as a PA, you may pursue additional education or certification, negotiate your salary and benefits, and seek additional opportunities to work as a PA.