Physician Assistants

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• 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.
• Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: Master's Degree

Related Careers

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Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Physician Assistants.

A Day in the Life

A physician assistant's day varies dramatically depending on their specialty and practice setting. In a primary care office, a PA might see 20 or more patients per day, managing acute illnesses, chronic disease follow-ups, preventive screenings, and wellness visits. In a surgical specialty, the day could involve assisting in the operating room, rounding on hospitalized patients, managing post-operative care, and seeing pre-surgical consultations in clinic. Emergency medicine PAs evaluate patients presenting with everything from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies, ordering imaging and labs, performing procedures, and making disposition decisions. Throughout any setting, PAs document patient encounters in electronic health records, communicate with collaborating physicians about complex cases, and coordinate care with specialists, pharmacists, and other healthcare team members. Patient education is a constant thread, with PAs explaining diagnoses, treatment options, and prevention strategies. Many PAs balance clinical duties with administrative responsibilities such as quality improvement projects, staff training, or protocol development.

Work Environment

Physician assistants work in virtually every healthcare setting imaginable. Outpatient clinics and physician offices provide structured schedules with standard business hours for most primary care and specialty PAs. Hospital-based PAs work on medical floors, in intensive care units, and in operating rooms, often with shift schedules that include nights, weekends, and holidays. Emergency departments operate around the clock, with PAs typically working 12-hour shifts on rotating schedules. Urgent care centers offer a middle ground with extended hours but generally without overnight shifts. Rural and underserved area practices may provide greater autonomy and a broader scope of practice, as PAs often serve as primary care providers where physician access is limited. Academic medical centers offer teaching opportunities alongside clinical practice. The work pace varies by specialty—surgical and emergency medicine settings tend to be fast-paced and physically demanding, while primary care and psychiatry often allow a more measured approach. Most PAs report high levels of professional satisfaction driven by meaningful patient interactions and clinical variety.

Career Path & Advancement

Becoming a physician assistant requires completing a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited PA program, which typically takes 27 months and includes both didactic coursework and supervised clinical rotations. Prerequisites include a bachelor's degree with coursework in sciences and significant direct patient care experience, often several thousand hours. After graduating, PAs must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and maintain certification through continuing medical education and recertification every ten years. One of the profession's most distinctive features is specialty flexibility—PAs can change medical specialties throughout their careers without completing new residency training. Some PAs pursue optional postgraduate residency and fellowship programs in specialties such as emergency medicine, surgery, or orthopedics for additional focused training. Career advancement paths include lead PA roles, supervising other PAs, clinical operations management, healthcare administration, and academic positions teaching in PA programs. Some PAs also transition into healthcare consulting, medical device sales, or health policy roles.

Specializations

Physician assistants practice across the full spectrum of medical specialties, with the ability to switch specialties during their careers. Primary care and family medicine PAs manage comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages, handling everything from annual physicals to chronic disease management. Emergency medicine PAs work in fast-paced environments treating acute injuries, illnesses, and medical emergencies. Surgical PAs assist in the operating room and manage pre-and post-operative care in specialties ranging from general surgery to cardiovascular, orthopedic, and neurosurgery. Dermatology PAs diagnose and treat skin conditions, perform biopsies, and address cosmetic concerns. Psychiatry PAs provide mental health assessments, therapy, and medication management for patients with behavioral health conditions. Orthopedic PAs evaluate musculoskeletal complaints, apply casts, reduce fractures, and assist in joint replacement surgeries. Cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, and pediatrics represent additional popular specialization areas where PAs play integral roles on medical teams.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

The physician assistant profession is one of the fastest-growing occupations in healthcare, driven by physician shortages, an aging population, and healthcare system efforts to improve access and reduce costs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 28 percent growth for PA employment over the next decade, significantly outpacing most other occupations. Scope of practice legislation continues to evolve, with several states granting PAs greater autonomy through optimal team practice models that replace traditional supervisory requirements. The profession's name is evolving, with the American Academy of PAs exploring alternatives that better reflect the collaborative, autonomous nature of PA practice. Telehealth has become a permanent component of PA practice across specialties, expanding access to care in rural and underserved communities. Compensation continues to rise across specialties, with surgical and emergency medicine PAs commanding premium salaries. The growing number of PA programs nationwide is increasing the supply of new graduates, intensifying competition for the most desirable positions in popular metropolitan areas and specialties.