Physician Assistant Salary: Trends, Specialties, and Career Outlook

Physician assistants (PAs) are among the most in-demand healthcare professionals in the United States. Working closely with physicians, they diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and perform clinical procedures. While their roles often overlap with those of doctors, their educational paths, scopes of practice, and compensation differ significantly.

If you’re planning to become a PA or deciding between PA and medical school, understanding salary trends and career expectations is crucial. This guide explores the latest PA salary data, how PA compensation compares to doctors, and how clinical experience, including global healthcare internships, can impact your earnings trajectory.

> Explore Go-Elective Pre-PA and PA Internships Abroad

Educational Path: PA vs. MD

Both PAs and doctors begin with rigorous training, but their academic journeys differ in length, cost, and intensity.

To become a doctor, you typically need:

A bachelor’s degree (4 years)
A competitive GPA (average 3.64) and MCAT score (minimum ~508)
Medical school (4 years)
Residency (3–7 years, depending on specialty)
Board certification and ongoing recertification

To become a PA, you’ll need:

A bachelor’s degree
Around 1,000–2,000 hours of patient care experience
A 2–3 year master’s program in Physician Assistant Studies
Certification via the PANCE exam

For many pre-health students, the PA route is appealing due to its shorter timeline, lower cost, and flexibility in changing specialties without additional residency training.

Job Duties: Similar Roles, Different Levels of Autonomy

Both physicians and physician assistants:

Conduct physical exams
Diagnose and treat illnesses
Prescribe medications
Provide patient education and follow-up care

Key differences:

Doctors practice independently; PAs work under physician supervision (though often autonomously in daily practice)
PAs cannot perform major surgeries alone but often assist in ORs
Doctors undergo more intensive training and bear higher legal and clinical responsibility

PAs also benefit from the ability to shift specialties more easily, a flexibility that many find attractive.

Cost of Education: PA Programs vs. Medical School

Medical School Costs

Public medical schools: ~$207,000
Private medical schools: ~$278,000
(Source: AAMC)

PA School Costs

In-state students: ~$71,000
Out-of-state: ~$90,000
(Source: PAEA, average for 27-month programs)

Though PA school is still a financial investment, the lower cost and shorter time to practice make it a more accessible option for many students.

Physician Assistant Salaries in 2025

According to the most recent data from authoritative sources like the NCCPA, BLS, and AAPA, here’s what PA salaries look like today:

Source	Median Salary	Top 10% Salary
NCCPA (2024)	$117,381	$157,000+
BLS (2024)	$126,010	$172,000
AAPA Salary Report (2024)	$120,204	Varies by region
ZipRecruiter (2024 estimate)	$115,000	Up to $160,000

Specialty plays a major role in compensation. According to NCCPA and AAPA data:

Dermatology PAs earn: ~$137,000
Emergency Medicine: ~$129,000
Orthopedic Surgery: ~$125,000
Family Medicine: ~$112,000
Critical Care: ~$130,000

Explore the full list of PA specialties and their corresponding salaries in our detailed guide: Physician Assistant Specialties and Career Paths.

Top-Paying Locations for PAs

Geography also affects earning potential. According to the BLS and NCCPA:

Top-paying states:

Connecticut: $137,060
California: $130,150
Washington: $128,000

Top metropolitan areas:

Salinas, CA: $161,370
San Jose, CA: $156,640
Danbury, CT: $152,000

However, adjusted for cost of living, states like Iowa, Kentucky, and Mississippi offer the highest value per dollar earned.

Additional Benefits and Compensation

Most full-time PAs enjoy substantial non-salary benefits:

Annual bonuses (~$6,000 average)
Health, dental, and liability insurance
CME allowances and professional license reimbursements
401(k) contributions (typically 3–7% of salary)
Paid time off and flexible work schedules

In fact, 90%+ of PAs receive some form of professional development support from their employers.

Salary Growth and Experience

Experience is a powerful factor in PA earnings. Over the past six years, average salaries have increased by more than 15%. PAs with:

0–2 years experience: $95,000–$105,000
5–9 years: ~$115,000
15–19 years: ~$130,000 or more

Newly certified PAs often start between $90,000–$105,000 but can exceed $100,000 within their first year depending on region and specialty.

Comparing PA and Doctor Salaries

Role	Average Salary	Time to Practice	Education Cost
Physician (MD/DO)	$200,000–$350,000+	11–15 years	$200K–$300K+
PA	$110,000–$140,000	6–7 years	~$71K–$90K

While doctors earn more over time, PAs often reach financial stability sooner and with less debt. This makes the PA profession especially attractive for students who want strong compensation without a decade-long training commitment.

The Value of Clinical Experience

Getting clinical experience — especially in diverse healthcare settings — is critical for both admissions and future salary negotiations.

Global internships, like those offered by Go Elective, provide pre-PA and PA students with hands-on exposure to surgery, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and more in high-volume hospitals across Kenya and Tanzania. These experiences can strengthen your CV and increase your confidence during interviews and clinical rotations.

Final Thoughts: Is a PA Career Worth It?

The physician assistant profession offers a rare combination of high job satisfaction, flexibility, and excellent salary potential. With demand for PAs continuing to grow — and opportunities to specialize, travel, and make a real impact — this career path remains one of the most accessible and rewarding in healthcare.

If you're considering a future as a PA, start by building strong clinical experience and exploring diverse settings. Learn more about how to boost your PA school application and gain patient care hours on our Pre-PA Internships Page.