Jobs Similar to Physician Assistants
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to physician assistants, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Nurse Practitioners, Hospitalists and Family Medicine Physicians.
Physician Assistants: $135,880 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Physician Assistants) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 87% | $132,300−3% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | HospitalistsSame group | 86% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Family Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 86% | $244,180+80% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 85% | $335,550+147% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 85% | $256,560+89% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Pediatricians, GeneralSame group | 85% | $210,040+55% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Nurse MidwivesSame group | 85% | $134,040−1% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 85% | $292,910+116% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 84% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 10 | NeurologistsSame group | 84% | $248,560+83% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | PharmacistsSame group | 84% | $140,910+4% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Critical Care NursesSame group | 84% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 84% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 15 | PsychiatristsSame group | 83% | $281,870+107% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Physical TherapistsSame group | 83% | $102,760−24% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | OrthoptistsSame group | 83% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Clinical Nurse SpecialistsSame group | 82% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Midwives | 82% | $65,790Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Dietitians and NutritionistsSame group | 82% | $76,400−44% | Graduate degree |
- 1Nurse Practitioners
87% similar · $132,300 (−3%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Hospitalists
86% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Family Medicine Physicians
86% similar · $244,180 (+80%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Emergency Medicine Physicians
85% similar · $335,550 (+147%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5General Internal Medicine Physicians
85% similar · $256,560 (+89%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Pediatricians, General
85% similar · $210,040 (+55%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Nurse Midwives
85% similar · $134,040 (−1%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Obstetricians and Gynecologists
85% similar · $292,910 (+116%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
84% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Neurologists
84% similar · $248,560 (+83%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Pharmacists
84% similar · $140,910 (+4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Critical Care Nurses
84% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Naturopathic Physicians
84% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Sports Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Psychiatrists
83% similar · $281,870 (+107%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Physical Therapists
83% similar · $102,760 (−24%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Orthoptists
83% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Clinical Nurse Specialists
82% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Midwives
82% similar · $65,790 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 20Dietitians and Nutritionists
82% similar · $76,400 (−44%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than physician assistants.
- Emergency Medicine Physicians85% similar · $335,550 (+147%)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists85% similar · $292,910 (+116%)
- Psychiatrists83% similar · $281,870 (+107%)
- General Internal Medicine Physicians85% similar · $256,560 (+89%)
- Neurologists84% similar · $248,560 (+83%)
- Family Medicine Physicians86% similar · $244,180 (+80%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for physician assistants also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like physician assistants
What jobs are most similar to physician assistants?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Nurse Practitioners (87% similar), Hospitalists (86% similar), Family Medicine Physicians (86% similar), Emergency Medicine Physicians (85% similar) and General Internal Medicine Physicians (85% similar).
Which jobs like physician assistants pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +147%; usually a graduate degree), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($292,910, +116%; usually a graduate degree) and Psychiatrists ($281,870, +107%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with physician assistants ($135,880). Without more preparation than physician assistants usually need: Emergency Medicine Physicians, Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Psychiatrists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.