Physician Assistants
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.
Also called: Advanced Practice Provider (AAP), Anesthetic Assistant, Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Certified Physician's Assistant (PA-C), Doctor Assistant
Median pay
$135,880
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$99,380 – $190,280
People employed
162,150
Holland code
SIC
Social · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 2.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
Physician Assistants pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What physician assistants do
- 01Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- 02Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- 03Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- 04Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- 05Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- 06Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
Work styles that stand out
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from physician assistants
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary71% · −21%
- Genetic Counselors71% · −26%
- Medical Dosimetrists67% · +9%
- Clinical Research Coordinators67% · group pay
- Health Informatics Specialists65% · group pay
Majors that lead here
- Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program, General
- Combined Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Acute Care Medicine Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Acute Care Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Cardiology Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Critical Care Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Critical Care and Trauma Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- ENT Surgery Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
- Family Medicine Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Program
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.