Physician Assistant
Salary Guide
Physician Assistant Salary at a Glance
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the physician assistant salary reached $133,260 in May 2024 — roughly $64.07 per hour. This places Physician Assistants well above the national median wage of $49,500 for all workers.
The earnings spectrum is wide. The lowest 10% earned under $95,240, while the top 10% brought home $182,200 or more. The best-paid 25% earned above $160,160 — meaning the vast majority of practicing PAs earn a six-figure income.
Physician Assistant Salary by Experience
Experience remains one of the single biggest levers on Physician Assistant salary. Here’s how earnings typically progress across a career:
Highest-Paying PA Specialties
Specialization is the fastest, most reliable path to higher Physician Assistant salary. Hospital-based, high-acuity, and procedural specialties consistently command the best packages:
| Specialty | Annual Salary Range | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 🚨 Emergency Medicine | $135,000 – $175,000 | Very High |
| 🔪 Surgery / Surgical Subspecialties | $130,000 – $165,000 | High |
| 🦴 Orthopedics | $125,000 – $155,000 | High |
| ❤️ Cardiology | $125,000 – $150,000 | High |
| 🧴 Dermatology | $120,000 – $148,000 | Moderate |
| 🧠 Neurology / Neurosurgery | $120,000 – $145,000 | Moderate |
| 🏥 Hospital Medicine | $115,000 – $140,000 | High |
| 🩺 Primary Care / Family Medicine | $100,000 – $125,000 | Very High |
| 👶 Pediatrics | $95,000 – $118,000 | Moderate |
Highest-Paying States for Physician Assistants
Location has a major impact on take-home pay. States with high costs of living, physician shortages, or large urban healthcare systems tend to offer the most competitive salaries. The Salinas metro area in California averages $170,000 — the highest-paying metro in the nation.
Physician Assistant Salary by Employer Type
Where you work matters as much as where you live. The employer type influences both compensation structure and career growth:
| Work Setting | Mean Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🏛️ Government | $151,470 | Highest-paying employer type |
| 🏢 Outpatient Care Centers | $137,040 | Strong pay with regular hours |
| 🔬 Scientific Research | $133,750 | Growing niche, competitive pay |
| 🏥 Hospitals (General) | $130,000 – $140,000 | Largest employer of PAs |
| 👨⚕️ Physician Offices | $118,000 – $128,000 | Most common entry-level setting |
How Does Physician Assistant Salary Compare to Similar Roles?
Understanding where Physician Assistants fall in the healthcare compensation landscape helps you make an informed career choice:
While physicians earn significantly more, Physician Assistants benefit from considerably shorter training timelines, substantially less student debt, and better work-life balance — most full-time PAs work ~40 hrs/week vs. 60+ for physicians.
Is the Physician Assistant Profession Still Growing?
The BLS projects 20% employment growth from 2024 to 2034, compared to just 3% average across all occupations — translating to approximately 12,000 new job openings per year.
This growth is driven by physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, an aging Baby Boomer population, and the demonstrated cost-efficiency of PAs compared to fully licensed physicians.
How to Maximize Your Physician Assistant Salary
Pursue a High-Demand Specialty
Emergency medicine, surgery, and orthopedics top the charts. Sub-specialization (trauma surgery, interventional cardiology) commands an additional premium.
Leverage Geographic Flexibility
Rural HPSAs often offer signing bonuses of $10,000–$30,000 plus NHSC loan repayment of up to $50,000 on top of competitive base salaries.
Explore Locum Tenens
Temporary positions pay 20–30% more than permanent roles, with housing and travel covered — great for loan payoff and specialty exploration.
Negotiate with Data
The AAPA salary report breaks down pay by specialty, state, and experience. Walking in with percentile data is one of the most effective negotiation tools available.
Don’t Overlook Total Compensation
CME allowances ($2,000–$5,000/yr), malpractice coverage, 401k matching, and PTO can add $15,000–$25,000 in effective value on top of base salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for a physician assistant?
Which PA specialty pays the most?
Do physician assistants make more than nurse practitioners?
What state pays physician assistants the most?
Is physician assistant a good career financially?
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The Bottom Line on PA Salary
A physician assistant salary of $133,260 at the national median — rising to $182,200+ at the top tier — makes this one of the most financially rewarding careers in healthcare. With 20% job growth and strong demand across specialties, PAs are well-positioned for financial security for years to come.
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