Practice medicine under supervision of physicians, examining and treating patients.
Pay
$99,380
Lower reported wage
$135,880
Median
$190,280
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.
Applicants typically need a bachelor’s degree and direct patient-care experience. Check each program’s science prerequisites and experience requirements.
Complete an accredited physician assistant program. Programs typically award a master’s degree and require at least 2 years of study after a bachelor’s degree. Prior patient-care experience may add time.
All states and the District of Columbia require a license. Check the applicable licensing board’s examination and other requirements.
All states and DC require licensure. The usual examination is NCCPA’s PANCE after an accredited PA program. Maintaining certification involves continuing education and recertification; verify current requirements and fees with NCCPA and the state board.[1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
About this data
Direct SOC match: Physician Assistants (29-1071). BLS OOH, May 2025 annual U.S. wages: median $135,880; 10th percentile $99,380; 90th percentile $190,280. Wage figures reviewed September 12, 2026. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm . Employment and growth use BLS EP 2025-35.
SOC 29-1071BLS EP 2025-35; OEWS May 2025Verified 2026-04-28View on BLS
Preparation includes laboratory work and supervised clinical rotations after undergraduate study. A clinical rotation is not evidence of a paid job; ask the program about its employment policy.[1]
Costs to check before enrolling
Compare prerequisite courses, patient-care experience requirements, graduate tuition, rotation travel or housing, and examination and licensing fees. Ask how much paid work is feasible during the program.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
Majors and routes to explore
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
This is graduate professional preparation. Applicants typically first complete a bachelor’s degree, science prerequisites, and patient-care experience; no single undergraduate major guarantees admission.[1]
Daily life
What you would do
Take medical histories, examine patients, interpret tests, provide treatment, and counsel patients as part of a healthcare team.[1]
Where you could work
Medical offices, hospitals, and outpatient clinics; duties vary by specialty, such as primary care or surgery.[1]
Hours and flexibility
Most work full time. Some schedules include nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call duties.[1]
Physical and emotional demands
Patient care can be physically and emotionally demanding; surgical work can involve extended periods standing.[1]
How you could advance
Postgraduate programs and additional specialty credentials can support specialization. Requirements differ by program and specialty.[1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.
Questions to ask yourself and an employer
Do I want direct responsibility for diagnosing and treating patients?
Can I accommodate the clinical placements and the schedule of my preferred specialty?
