Physician Assistant: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Physician Assistants earn a national median of $133,260/yr with 20.4% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, English Language, Biology.
Median Salary
$133,260
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
20.4%
Much faster than average
Employed Nationally
155,540
2024 data
Typical Education
Master's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Physician Assistant
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Physician Assistant candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Physician Assistant performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Physician Assistant roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 20.4% for Physician Assistant roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's much faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 155,540
- Projected Growth
- 20.4%
- Typical Education
- Master's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Physician Assistant do?
- Physician Assistants apply expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, English Language, Biology to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring.
- How much does a Physician Assistant make?
- The national median salary for a Physician Assistant is $133,260 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Physician Assistant a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Physician Assistant roles is projected to grow 20.4% over the 2024–2034 decade — much faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 155,540 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Physician Assistant?
- The typical entry-level education for a Physician Assistant is Master's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Physician Assistants need?
- The most important skills for Physician Assistant roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Service Orientation, Writing, Social Perceptiveness. Key tools and technologies include: Epic Systems, eClinicalWorks EHR software, MEDITECH software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.