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Physician assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$135,880median pay per year, or $65.33 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $99,380lowest 10% earn less
  2. $120,67025th percentile
  3. $135,880median
  4. $163,98075th percentile
  5. $190,280top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A physician assistant earns well above the typical US worker, with a median wage of $135,880 a year[1]. BLS expects jobs to rise 21.1% between 2025 and 2035[2], but getting in takes a graduate program and a state license[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+21.1%[2]
Openings per year
11,500[6]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[7]

How much do physician assistants make?

Half of physician assistants earned more than $135,880 a year in May 2025, and half earned less[1]. That works out to $65.33 an hour[1]. The mean (average) wage was a little higher, at $141,280 a year or $67.92 an hour[8].

For comparison, the median wage for all US occupations was $50,980[5]. So the typical physician assistant earned far more than the typical US worker[1][5].

Pay still varies a lot from person to person[4]:

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th[4][9] $99,380 $47.78
25th[4][9] $120,670 $58.02
50th (median)[1] $135,880 $65.33
75th[4][9] $163,980 $78.84
90th[4][9] $190,280 $91.48

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $99,380 a year, and the top 10% earned more than $190,280[4]. These percentiles are boundaries, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10].

Keep in mind what these figures leave out. They cover workers paid a wage or salary, not the self-employed, and they do not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions[11]. Self-employment is rare in this job anyway, at 1.4% of physician assistants in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

The five states with the highest median pay for physician assistants were New Jersey ($165,690), California ($165,650), Washington ($164,360), Hawaii ($164,050) and New York ($160,880)[13]. At the other end of the list, Mississippi ($105,920) and Alabama ($104,960) had the lowest medians[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 of these jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA led with a median of $223,640[14]. Next came Bakersfield-Delano, CA at $198,070 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $184,380[14].

For job counts, New York led with 19,140, followed by California with 13,600, Texas with 10,110, Florida with 9,310 and Pennsylvania with 9,020[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro alone had 16,800 jobs, with a median of $167,650[16]. A big job market does not always mean top pay, though. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro had the second most jobs (3,970) but a median of $111,810[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New Jersey[13]$165,6904,790
California$165,65013,600
Washington$164,3603,540
Hawaii$164,050530
New York$160,88019,140
Oregon$155,7802,250
New Hampshire$150,9601,060
Alaska$150,700700
Vermont$150,490410
Massachusetts$142,4104,470
Montana$141,470600
Minnesota$141,1903,660
Rhode Island$139,930810
New Mexico$139,920700
Connecticut$139,8603,570
Delaware$139,350860
Maryland$137,5602,950
Oklahoma$136,5501,770
Wyoming$136,080330
Virginia$135,9404,340
District of Columbia$135,140470
Missouri$135,1302,300
Iowa$134,7701,200
Utah$134,7401,610
Nevada$134,6601,090
Arizona$134,6503,750
Texas$134,55010,110
Colorado$134,5403,270
Wisconsin$133,9503,580
Idaho$133,7901,320
North Dakota$133,450510
South Dakota$133,200680
Nebraska$133,0401,330
Ohio$132,0904,900
Indiana$132,0502,110
Illinois$131,9503,790
Michigan$131,5106,310
Maine$131,1701,030
Florida$129,6209,310
North Carolina$129,3607,490
Louisiana$128,8701,360
West Virginia$128,6101,080
Pennsylvania$127,0709,020
Kansas$125,640890
South Carolina$122,4902,250
Kentucky$120,7601,360
Arkansas$118,430850
Tennessee$118,2402,240
Georgia$115,3905,610
Mississippi$105,920320
Alabama$104,960930

How to become a physician assistant

BLS lists a master's degree as the typical education needed to start, with no on-the-job training period expected after that[7]. In an O*NET survey of 37 workers, 81% said the job requires a master's degree, 14% said a first professional degree and 5% said a bachelor's degree[17].

The usual path looks like this:

1) Earn a bachelor's degree, ideally with science classes, often in healthcare or a field such as biology[18]. 2) Get hands-on patient care experience, for example as a medical assistant, EMT or paramedic[18]. 3) Finish an accredited physician assistant program[19][3]. These usually last at least 2 years beyond the bachelor's degree[20]. You study subjects like anatomy, clinical medicine and pharmacology, and you do supervised clinical rotations in areas such as family, internal and emergency medicine[20]. 4) Pass the qualifying exam and get your license, which every state and the District of Columbia requires, and then you may use the PA-C credential[21]. 5) Keep PA-C current through continuing education and a recertification exam within a set number of years[22].

Some employers may also want basic life support (BLS) certification[23]. In most states, the law says a physician assistant must have an agreement with a supervising physician[24]. That doctor does not have to be on site all the time, but the two must work together[24].

Later on, some physician assistants train further in a specialty. Postgraduate programs exist in fields like emergency medicine and psychiatry, and they are open to graduates of accredited programs who hold PA-C[25].

O*NET puts this job in Job Zone Five, its group for jobs that need extensive preparation[26].

What physician assistants do

Physician assistants deliver care that a physician would typically provide, working under a physician's supervision[19]. They give full physical exams, treat and counsel patients, and in some cases prescribe medicine[19]. Common tasks include[27]:

Workers report job titles such as Family Practice Physician Assistant, Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant and Orthopedic Physician Assistant[28]. The job calls for clear communication, compassion, close attention to detail and the ability to stay calm under pressure[29][30][31][32].

Where they work

Offices of physicians were the largest employer, with 53% of physician assistants in 2025[33].

The work can wear on you both physically and emotionally[34]. Physician assistants spend a large part of the day on their feet, walking rounds and seeing patients, and those in operating rooms may stand for long stretches[34].

According to BLS, most physician assistants work full time[35]. Schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays, and some are on call, ready to come in on short notice[35].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of physician assistant jobs to rise 21.1% between 2025 and 2035, from roughly 168,900 to 204,600[2]. That is far faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[36].

About 11,500 openings are expected each year on average[6]. That count includes jobs freed up when workers retire or switch careers, not only brand new positions[6]. Each year, an estimated 1.8% of physician assistants leave the labor force and 2.5% move into a different occupation[37].

The projection counts (168,900 in 2025) include self-employed workers[2], so they differ from the 162,150 wage and salary jobs counted in the May 2025 pay survey[38].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to strong pay, with a median of $135,880 a year[1], and projected growth far above the all-occupation rate[2][36]. The trade-off is a long road in: a bachelor's degree, patient care experience, a program of at least 2 years and a licensing exam[18][20][21]. The work can be physically and emotionally demanding, with possible nights, weekends and on-call time[34][35]. It may suit someone who wants to diagnose and treat patients in close teamwork with physicians[19][24]. If you are weighing similar options, nurse practitioners also typically need a master's degree and had a median of $132,300[39].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a physician assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $65.33 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $47.78 an hour and the top 10% earned more than $91.48[9].
How long does it take to become a physician assistant?
After a bachelor's degree, a physician assistant program usually takes at least 2 years[3][20]. Programs also typically expect some patient care experience before you apply[18]. Then you must pass a qualifying exam to get licensed[21].
What degree do you need to be a physician assistant?
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education[7]. In an O*NET survey of 37 workers, 81% said a master's degree is required[17].
Is physician assistant in demand?
Yes. BLS expects jobs to rise 21.1% between 2025 and 2035, versus 3.5% for all occupations[2][36]. BLS expects about 11,500 openings a year[6].
What is the highest paying state for physician assistants?
New Jersey had the highest state median at $165,690, just ahead of California at $165,650[13]. The top paying metro area was San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $223,640[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Physician Assistants in the US was $135,880 per year and $65.33 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Physician Assistants is projected to grow 21.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 168,900 to 204,600 jobs (a change of +35,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Physician Assistants: 10th percentile $99,380, 25th percentile $120,670, 75th percentile $163,980, 90th percentile $190,280. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 11,500 openings for Physician Assistants are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Physician Assistants: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Physician Assistants was $141,280 per year and $67.92 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Physician Assistants: 10th percentile $47.78, 25th percentile $58.02, 75th percentile $78.84, 90th percentile $91.48. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 1.4% of Physician Assistants were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Physician Assistants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Physician Assistants (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $223,640; Bakersfield-Delano, CA $198,070; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $184,380; Vallejo, CA $179,520; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $172,750; Salinas, CA $170,180; Urban Honolulu, HI $170,060; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $167,650. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Physician Assistants jobs: New York 19,140; California 13,600; Texas 10,110; Florida 9,310; Pennsylvania 9,020. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Physician Assistants jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 16,800 (median $167,650); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 3,970 (median $111,810); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,890 (median $161,890); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 3,550 (median $142,410); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 3,390 (median $135,640); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,230 (median $134,900). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. O*NET 29-1071.00 survey of workers (37 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 81%, First Professional Degree 14%, Bachelor's Degree 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET description of Physician Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET 29-1071.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. 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. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Physician Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET 29-1071.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA), Family Practice Physician Assistant, Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant (PA), Physician's Assistant. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of physician assistants in 2025: Offices of physicians 53%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Physician Assistants: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 162,150 people were employed as Physician Assistants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.