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Career

Physician Assistants

Typical education: Master's degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $135,880 Median per year · $65.33/hr Most earn $99,380–$190,280

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
  • Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.
  • Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
  • Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
  • Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
  • Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
21% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 11,500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of physicians52.7%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals24.3%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools2.8%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service2.3%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Master's degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Physician assistants usually aren't entry-level jobs straight out of school. Most people finish a bachelor's degree, get about 6 months to 1 year of hands-on healthcare work, and then complete a master's-level PA program, which often takes around 6 to 8 years in total after high school.

  1. Bachelor's degree with science courses

    4 years

    Choose a major you enjoy, such as biology or health science, and take the chemistry, biology, anatomy, and statistics courses that PA programs usually ask for.

  2. Entry-level healthcare job

    6 months to 1 year

    Work as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, or EMT to learn patient care, medical terms, and how a clinic or hospital runs.

  3. Master's degree from an accredited PA program

    2-3 years

    Complete a graduate PA program that includes classroom learning, hands-on clinical rotations, and a licensing exam, which lets you practice under a physician's supervision.

  4. Physician Assistant

    Career

    Once licensed, you examine patients, diagnose and treat illness, order tests, and counsel patients, working as part of a team with a supervising physician.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Physician Assistant

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more responsibility, such as training new PAs, guiding the care team, and helping set clinic procedures, which usually comes from strong clinical skills and good teamwork.

  2. Anesthesiologist Assistant

    3-5 years of experience first

    You specialize in helping anesthesiologists care for patients during surgery, which requires a related master's degree and focused training in anesthesia.

  3. Family Medicine Physician

    Several more years of medical school and residency of experience first

    Some PAs decide to become physicians, which means going back to school for a doctoral degree and completing a residency, a long but possible route.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and anatomyThese classes build the science foundation you'll need for college and for PA programs later.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, or clinicHelping with patients shows you what healthcare work feels like and gives you experience to talk about in applications.
  • Join HOSA (Future Health Professionals) or a science clubClubs like this let you learn about health careers, practice skills, and meet mentors who work in medicine.
  • Get a first aid or CPR certificationA basic certification is inexpensive, shows responsibility, and gives you real first-aid skills.
  • Get a part-time job that involves helping peopleJobs like a store clerk or camp counselor build communication and teamwork skills that matter a lot in patient care.

In college

  • Major in biology, health science, or a related fieldPick a major that covers the science courses PA programs require and leaves room for electives in anatomy, physiology, and statistics.
  • Work as a medical assistant, CNA, or EMTPaid clinical work gives you the 6 months to 1 year of hands-on experience that PA programs typically expect.
  • Shadow a physician assistantFollowing a PA through a shift shows you their daily work and gives you a reference who can speak about your interest.
  • Volunteer through your campus pre-health or pre-PA groupPre-health clubs often host talks, service projects, and advising that help you plan your path to a PA program.
  • Build your grades and study habitsStrong grades in science courses matter a lot for graduate PA program admission, so keep your GPA high from the start.

Tips for getting started

  • Shadow or volunteer with a PA or doctor so you can see the job up close and decide if it fits you.
  • Keep your grades strong in science classes, since PA programs look closely at your science GPA and your healthcare experience.
  • Start building patient-care experience early, because hands-on work is a big part of getting accepted into PA programs.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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