How much does a physician assistant make?

In the U.S., experienced PAs often earn more, and pay differs by specialty, employer or work setting, and location. Work hours, extra shifts, nights, weekends, or on-call duties can also affect total earnings. A license and national certification are required; specialty training can open different kinds of jobs.

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. Excludes “Registered Nurses” (29-1141), “Nurse Anesthetists” (29-1151), “Nurse Midwives” (29-1161), “Nurse Practitioners” (29-1171), “Emergency Medical Technicians” (29-2042), “Paramedics” (29-2043), “Surgical Assistants” (29-9093), and “Medical Assistants” (31-9092).

What's a typical day like?

A PA reviews a patient's history, examines them, and may order or interpret tests to work out what is wrong. They treat patients, explain care, prescribe medicine, and track progress with a physician team.

Most first earn a bachelor’s degree, gain hands-on health-care experience, then complete an accredited PA master’s program with classroom lessons and clinical rotations. After graduation, they pass the PANCE and get a license in the state where they plan to work.

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out.

Nearly half of U.S. PAs change medical specialties during their careers, moving into a different area of medicine.