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.
Physician Assistants
SOC: 29-1071 O*NET: 29-1071.00
Median Salary
$133,260
per year
Job Growth
🚀 20.4%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
12
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Physician Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$95,240
10th percentile
Early Career
$113,770
25th percentile
Median
$133,260
50th percentile
Experienced
$160,160
75th percentile
Top Earners
$182,200
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$95,240
25th
$113,770
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$133,260
Mean: $136,900
75th
$160,160
90th
$182,200
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $86,960 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $113,770 and $160,160
- •Salary spread is 34.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 155,540 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:162,700
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services65.5%
Offices of Physicians52.9%
Hospitals22.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+20.4%
Annual Openings:12,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)162,700
Current
2034 (Projected)195,800
+20.4%
+33,200
Employment Change
+20.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Physician Assistants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
19,390 jobs$152,6502.01x
California
13,570 jobs$161,0800.75x
Florida
10,570 jobs$127,2001.07x
Texas
10,030 jobs$132,8100.72x
North Carolina
8,520 jobs$128,5401.72x
Pennsylvania
7,760 jobs$124,8801.28x
Michigan
5,490 jobs$131,9801.24x
Ohio
4,530 jobs$126,7600.81x
Georgia
4,400 jobs$109,9900.90x
Massachusetts
4,310 jobs$138,0901.17x
Illinois
3,930 jobs$122,9900.64x
Minnesota
3,790 jobs$139,3001.29x
Connecticut
3,700 jobs$138,4402.18x
Arizona
3,540 jobs$135,2401.10x
Virginia
3,530 jobs$135,4900.86x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Child, Family, and School Social Workers100%
5 shared skills
Dietitians and Nutritionists100%
5 shared skills
Emergency Medicine Physicians100%
5 shared skills
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Paralegals and Legal Assistants100%
5 shared skills
School Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Active Listening
- →Writing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Physician Assistants
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
12
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Management & Supervision (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •58% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Physician Assistants
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Physician Assistants professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Physician Assistants
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.95
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.95
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.89
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.83
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.76
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.72
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
5.0
Concern for Others
5.0
Integrity
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Cooperation
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Analytical Thinking
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Achievement/Effort
4.4
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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