How to Become a Physician Assistant
Examine patients, diagnose illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans under physician supervision. It typically requires a master's degree, with a median salary of $135,880 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$135,880/yr
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
12,000
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Clinical Assessment
- Patient Care
- Medical Diagnosis
- Pharmacology
- Communication
Helpful certifications
- PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)
- State Licensure
- BLS/ACLS Certification
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
10/100
Work-life balance
42/100
Stress level
65/100
Satisfaction
74/100
Related careers
- Psychiatrist$281,870 median
- Physician (Family Medicine)$244,180 median
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)$236,590 median
- Dentist$170,950 median
- Pharmacist$140,910 median
- Optometrist$136,570 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Physician Assistant make?
The median pay for a Physician Assistant is $135,880 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Physician Assistant?
The usual entry point is a master's degree. Common majors are Pre-Medicine, Biology, Health Sciences, and Chemistry.
Is Physician Assistant a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 12,000 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Physician Assistant use most?
Common skills for this role are Clinical Assessment, Patient Care, Medical Diagnosis, Pharmacology, and Communication.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.