How much do physician assistants make? — Physician assistant pay

Details

BLS reports 168,900 physician assistant jobs in 2025. It projects growth of 21% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 35,700 added jobs.

The typical entry-level education is a master’s degree, and all states require licensure. PAs examine, diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.

What the occupational median answers

The cited figure gives a national occupational wage midpoint for physician assistants. It is not a quote for a particular assignment or a promise about an employer’s pay. Keep the data period and occupational label with the figure when comparing it with another benchmark. A mean and median are different measures, so ask which one another source reports before drawing a conclusion. The occupational headline also does not settle the benefits, expenses or duties in an individual offer.

Compare the role you are actually offered

A PA role can involve a specific clinical setting and set of duties. Ask the employer to describe the patients, clinical activities, schedule and practice arrangement for the proposed job. The BLS occupational description is not a complete statement of the rules in a particular state. Confirm those rules with the licensing board and ask the facility what it requires for the intended work. Do not assume that the degree or license described by BLS establishes approval for every clinical activity at the receiving site.

Keep outlook and pay separate

The reported employment count and growth projection describe the occupation across the published period. They do not establish a current opening in your preferred location or a guaranteed wage increase. Check the actual employer listing and ask whether the position is open and what credentials it requires. If you compare a national headline with a state figure, label each source and measure clearly. The clinician pay hub links to existing PA state wage pages where that more specific comparison is available.

Questions for the written agreement

Ask which clinical and administrative hours are paid, whether the schedule includes nights or call, and how the payment terms work. Review expenses, benefits and malpractice arrangements as separate offer terms. The NP and PA offer checklist provides a place to organize those questions without inventing a local rate. Use the PA renewal checklist for credential questions and confirm current requirements with the responsible organization. A national wage benchmark is context for that discussion, not a replacement for a written agreement.