Physician Assistants
SOC code 29-1071 · O*NET-SOC 29-1071.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Physician Assistants pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$135,880
a year
Hourly
$65.33
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$141,280
$67.92 per hour
Middle 50%
$120,670 – $163,980
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$99,380 – $190,280
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
162,150
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $99,380
- $47.78/hr
- 25th percentile
- $120,670
- $58.02/hr
- Median percentile
- $135,880
- $65.33/hr
- 75th percentile
- $163,980
- $78.84/hr
- 90th percentile
- $190,280
- $91.48/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+20%
Growing much faster than average
162,700
jobs in 2024
195,800
projected for 2034
About 33,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a physician assistant do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
How to become a physician assistant
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 81% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree81%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.14%
- Bachelor's Degree5%
Common questions
How much does a physician assistant earn?
The national median is $135,880 a year. The full range runs from $99,380 at the 10th percentile to $190,280 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a physician assistant without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is physician assistant in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 20% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry5.0/5
- Biology4.8/5
- English Language4.6/5
- Psychology4.6/5
- Therapy and Counseling4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Education and Training4.0/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.