Physician Assistant Salary 2025: $135,880 Median, Career Path & Growth
Physician Assistants (PAs) earn a national median salary of $135,880, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The typical range runs from $99,380 at the 10th percentile to $190,280 at the 90th, making it one of the higher-earning healthcare careers that doesn't require a medical degree. With strong demand and a clear path to certification, this occupation continues to attract candidates looking for a mix of clinical responsibility and work-life balance.
How much Physician Assistants earn
The median annual wage for Physician Assistants is $135,880, with a mean wage of $141,280 (roughly $65 per hour). The bottom 10% earn about $99,380, while top earners bring in over $190,280. Pay varies significantly by experience, specialty, and location.
- Entry-level PAs (10th percentile): $99,380
- Mid-career median: $135,880
- Experienced PAs (90th percentile): $190,280
- Hourly mean: ~$65
Pay by state
Where you work makes a big difference. The highest-paying states are New Jersey ($165,690), California ($165,650), Washington ($164,360), Hawaii ($164,050), and New York ($160,880). Lower-paying states include Georgia ($115,390), Mississippi ($105,920), and Alabama ($104,960). These figures reflect average annual wages, not cost-of-living adjustments, so factor that in when comparing. In general, states with higher cost of living or stronger healthcare demand offer more.
How to become a Physician Assistant
Becoming a PA requires a master's degree from an accredited PA program, which typically takes about 2-3 years after completing a bachelor's degree. Most programs require prerequisite coursework in sciences like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, plus direct patient care experience (often 1,000+ hours as an EMT, nurse, or medical assistant). After graduation, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and obtain state licensure. The process from start to finish usually takes 5-7 years.
- Earn a bachelor's degree with science prerequisites (biology, chemistry, etc.).
- Accumulate direct patient care experience (e.g., EMT, CNA, medical assistant).
- Complete a 2-3 year accredited PA master's program.
- Pass the PANCE exam to become certified.
- Apply for licensure in your state.
- Maintain certification with 100 CME hours every 2 years and a recertification exam every 10 years.
Job outlook
The BLS projects 20.4% growth for Physician Assistants from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,000 new openings are expected each year, driven by an aging population and increased demand for healthcare services. PAs are cost-effective providers who can perform many tasks once reserved for physicians, making them increasingly attractive to healthcare systems.
Frequently asked questions
Do Physician Assistants make more than nurse practitioners?
Median salaries are similar, but BLS data for 2025 shows PAs at $135,880 and nurse practitioners at $128,490. Actual pay depends on specialty and location.
What is the highest-paying PA specialty?
While BLS does not break out specialties, industry surveys typically show emergency medicine, dermatology, and surgical subspecialties (e.g., cardiothoracic) as top earners, often exceeding $150,000.
How long does it take to become a PA?
Typically 5-7 years after high school: a 4-year bachelor's degree plus a 2-3 year master's program. Adding patient care experience (often 1-2 years) can extend the timeline.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Physician Assistants data.