Table of Contents
Physician Assistant Job Description Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Physician Assistant Jobs in the USHistorical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary MedianMedian salary, Entry-level salary, Average-salaryAverage Physician Assistant Salary by State (for non-traveling PAs)Average Physician Assistant Job Salary by State (traveling PA)What is the average incentive bonus for a Physician Assistant Job?Employed vs. self-employed Physician Assistant JobsMost-common benefits for a Physician AssistantFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the average salary of a physician assistant in the U.S.?Do physician assistant salaries vary by geographical location?How does experience affect a physician assistant’s salary?Are there opportunities for physician assistants to earn additional income?What benefits typically accompany an employed physician assistant’s salary?Physician Assistant Job Description
A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a physician to provide a wide range of healthcare services. PAs perform comprehensive physical exams to assess a patient’s overall health and identify any medical problems. They order tests such as blood work, x-rays, or MRIs to make the diagnosis. Based on the patient’s condition, they will develop a treatment plan and prescribe medications, therapies, or treatments accordingly. They often work in collaboration with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for patients.
The outlook and demand for PAs are positive, driven by several factors including an aging population, an increased focus on preventive care, and the versatility of care provided by PAs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than other occupations.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Physician Assistant Jobs in the US
Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary for a physician assistant is influenced by the demand for practitioners, cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to Zippia, the highest and lowest-paying states for physician assistants are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Physician Assistants:
1. Vermont
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut
4. New York
5. New Jersey
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Physician Assistants:
1. Idaho
2. Alabama
3. Louisiana
4. Missouri
5. Oklahoma
The state data varies between resources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/physician-assistant/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average-salary
The median salary for a physician assistant in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and specialization. An entry-level salary for those just starting their career is around $90,000-$100,000. Mid-level PAs may earn between $105,000 and $120,000 and senior PAs may earn from $120,000 to $140,000+ annually.
The average salary for a physician assistant is around $121,530 per year, with a median salary of $120,000. Traveling physician assistants may receive a higher hourly rate because of their 1099 status. Non-traveling physician assistants who are working in a permanent hospital position may have variations in salary based on their specialization, geographic location, type of healthcare institution, and expertise level. The salary range for a non-traveling physician assistant is $95,000-$125,000, whereas the range for a traveling PA is $110,000-$140,000.
Average Physician Assistant Salary by State (for non-traveling PAs)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $77,773 | $1,495 | $37.39 |
| Alaska | $135,058 | $2,597 | $64.93 |
| Arizona | $103,999 | $1,999 | $50.00 |
| Arkansas | $107,046 | $2,058 | $51.46 |
| California | $120,319 | $2,313 | $57.85 |
| Colorado | $92,605 | $1,780 | $44.52 |
| Connecticut | $151,153 | $2,906 | $72.67 |
| Delaware | $128,444 | $2,470 | $61.75 |
| Florida | $98,560 | $1,895 | $47.38 |
| Georgia | $94,580 | $1,818 | $45.47 |
| Hawaii | $125,535 | $2,414 | $60.35 |
| Idaho | $71,728 | $1,379 | $34.48 |
| Illinois | $110,651 | $2,127 | $53.20 |
| Indiana | $103,339 | $1,987 | $49.68 |
| Iowa | $101,704 | $1,956 | $48.90 |
| Kansas | $90,521 | $1,740 | $43.52 |
| Kentucky | $112,720 | $2,167 | $54.19 |
| Louisiana | $82,546 | $1,587 | $39.69 |
| Maine | $144,516 | $2,779 | $69.48 |
| Maryland | $127,697 | $2,455 | $61.39 |
| Massachusetts | $162,367 | $3,122 | $78.06 |
| Michigan | $116,654 | $2,243 | $56.08 |
| Minnesota | $141,452 | $2,720 | $68.01 |
| Mississippi | $99,618 | $1,915 | $47.89 |
| Missouri | $84,519 | $1,625 | $40.63 |
| Montana | $69,053 | $1,328 | $43.52 |
| Nebraska | $93,698 | $1,801 | $45.05 |
| Nevada | $112,065 | $2,155 | $53.88 |
| New Hampshire | $122,175 | $2,349 | $58.74 |
| New Jersey | $146,963 | $2,826 | $70.66 |
| New Mexico | $103,529 | $1,990 | $49.77 |
| New York | $149,785 | $2,880 | $72.01 |
| North Carolina | $110, 215 | $2,119 | $52.99 |
| North Dakota | $98,986 | $1,903 | $47.59 |
| Ohio | $124,609 | $2,396 | $59.91 |
| Oklahoma | $88,727 | $1,706 | $42.66 |
| Oregon | $101,655 | $1,954 | $48.87 |
| Pennsylvania | $131,190 | $2,522 | $63.07 |
| Rhode Island | $130,301 | $2,505 | $62.64 |
| South Carolina | $90,714 | $1,744 | $43.61 |
| South Dakota | $91,644 | $1,762 | $44.06 |
| Tennessee | $96,303 | $1,851 | $46.30 |
| Texas | $98,184 | $1,888 | $47.20 |
| Utah | $91,069 | $1,751 | $43.78 |
| Vermont | $162,792 | $3,130 | $78.27 |
| Virginia | $114,196 | $2,196 | $54.90 |
| Washington | $104,874 | $2,016 | $50.42 |
| West Virginia | $124,859 | $2,401 | $60.03 |
| Wisconsin | $116,212 | $2,234 | $55.87 |
| Wyoming | $92,009 | $1,769 | $44.24 |
Average Physician Assistant Job Salary by State (traveling PA)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $131,101 | $2,521 | $63.02 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $148,240 | $2,850 | $71.26 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $138,895 | $2,671 | $66.77 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $134,172 | $2,580 | $64.50 |
| California (San Francisco) | $164,811 | $3,169 | $79.23 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $145,077 | $2,789 | $69.74 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $141,106 | $2,713 | $67.83 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $139,809 | $2,688 | $67.21 |
| Florida (Miami) | $133,794 | $2,572 | $64.32 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $134,523 | $2,586 | $64.67 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $138,154 | $2,656 | $66.42 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $133,138 | $2,560 | $64.00 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $144,104 | $2,771 | $69.28 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $133,713 | $2,571 | $64.28 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $136,519 | $2,625 | $65.63 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $131,646 | $2,531 | $63.29 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $139,035 | $2,673 | $66.84 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $134,343 | $2,583 | $64.58 |
| Maine (Portland) | $143,120 | $2,752 | $68.80 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $138,477 | $2,663 | $66.58 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $151,973 | $2,922 | $73.06 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $138,483 | $2,663 | $66.57 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $141,479 | $2,720 | $68.01 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $121,901 | $2,344 | $58.60 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $132,589 | $2,549 | $63.74 |
| Montana (Helena) | $132,564 | $2,549 | $63.73 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $121,787 | $2,342 | $58.55 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $137,002 | $2,634 | $65.86 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $140,807 | $2,707 | $67.69 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $140,272 | $2,697 | $67.43 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $137,317 | $2,640 | $66.01 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $154,383 | $2,968 | $74.22 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $136,630 | $2,627 | $65.68 |
| North Dakota (Bismarck) | $136,630 | $2,627 | $65.68 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $135,117 | $2,598 | $64.96 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $129,948 | $2,499 | $62.47 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $148,351 | $2,852 | $71.32 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $141,158 | $2,714 | $67.86 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $141,318 | $2,717 | $67.94 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $130,908 | $2,517 | $62.93 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $139,387 | $2,680 | $67.01 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $135,116 | $2,598 | $64.95 |
| Texas (Austin) | $138,657 | $2,666 | $66.66 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $135,370 | $2,603 | $65.08 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $141,420 | $2,719 | $67.99 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $138,436 | $2,662 | $66.55 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $141,442 | $2,720 | $68.00 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $135,952 | $2,614 | $65.36 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $136,062 | $2,616 | $65.41 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $132,559 | $2,549 | $63.73 |
What is the average incentive bonus for a Physician Assistant Job?
The average bonus for a physician assistant is between $5,000 and $10,000. They may be eligible for several different bonuses including performance, location, referral, or sign-on. Performance bonus metrics may include patient satisfaction, number of patient visits, and patient outcomes. Some sign-on bonuses in underserved areas can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
Physician assistants often receive on-call pay bonuses, holidays, and overtime bonuses. They may also be offered a retention bonus after staying with their employer for a specific number of years or a referral bonus for recommending a hired colleague. PAs in a high-demand specialty like surgery, emergency medicine, or cardiology may receive a higher bonus than those in primary care.
Bonuses are typically part of a larger compensation package, which includes salary, benefits, retirement contributions, and other incentives.
Employed vs. self-employed Physician Assistant Jobs
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed physician assistants. Employed PAs benefit from a stable income, health insurance, a retirement plan, a CME allowance, liability coverage, and paid time off. They have administrative help for billing, scheduling, and other tasks allowing them to focus on patient care. Fixed work hours, vacation time, and sick leave may provide a better work-life balance.
A self-employed PA has a higher earning potential, increased flexibility, but must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage, or a retirement plan.
How to do an effective Physician Assistant job search
It is easy to find a physician assistant position with PRNHealthcare. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a PA” and your specialty. Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.
Most-common benefits for a Physician Assistant
Being a physician assistant comes with both professional and personal benefits including:
- High Demand/Job Security- PAs are in high demand across varies specialties and regions due to an aging population and growing healthcare needs.
- Competitive Salary- PAs earn a competitive salary and have opportunities for additional income through bonuses, overtime, or specialization.
- Continuous Learning- PAs have many opportunities for continuing education, specialization, and professional development. Ongoing education is important for staying current with medical advancements and growing their expertise.
- Work-Life Balance- PAs can work in various settings (hospitals, clinics, private practices) and have the option to relocate or travel for work. The job offers personal flexibility and the opportunity to experience different lifestyles and locations.
- Impact on Patient Care- PAs have the satisfaction of building strong relationships and helping patients improve their quality of life.
- Shorter Educational Path- PAs only need to complete a master’s degree, which is a two-year program post-bachelor’s degree. This shorter pathway reduces student debt.
- Diverse Career Opportunities- PAs can work in a wide range of medical specialties including primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, and dermatology. They can switch specialties without additional education, offering variety.
- Work Satisfaction- PAs can see the immediate results in their patients improved health resulting in daily work satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary of a physician assistant in the U.S.?
Data suggests the average annual salary for a physician assistant in the United States is $121,530 per year. The salary varies depending on location, years of experience, employment situation, specialization, and the type of healthcare facility. Those with a specialization or experience will earn more.
Do physician assistant salaries vary by geographical location?
A physician assistant’s salary will vary significantly by geographical location. Generally, PAs in urban areas or regions with a high cost of living tend to earn higher salaries. For example, those located in states like California and New York often earn more than those in rural or less populated states due to demand and differences in the cost of living.
How does experience affect a physician assistant’s salary?
Experience plays an important role in the determination of a physician assistant’s salary. Entry-level PAs start with a lower salary, which can increase with experience or specialization. Senior-level PAs with 10+ years of experience or traveling PAs earn the highest salaries.
Are there opportunities for physician assistants to earn additional income?
There are many opportunities for physician assistants to earn additional income including attaining an advanced specialization, qualifying for a bonus, or traveling.
What benefits typically accompany an employed physician assistant’s salary?
In addition to a salary or hourly rate, a physician assistant may receive a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans (such as a 401(k) or pension), paid time off (PTO), continuing education allowances, licensing fees, and professional liability insurance. Benefits enhance the overall compensation package and provide long-term financial stability for non-traveling PA. Bonuses may also be offered for performance or sign-on.