SOC 291071

Physician Assistants

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. Excludes "Registered Nurses" (29-1141), "Nurse Anesthetists" (29-1151), "Nurse Midwives" (29-1161), "Nurse Practitioners" (29-1171), "Emergency Medical Technicians" (29-2042), "Paramedics" (29-2043), "Surgical Assistants" (29-9093), and "Medical Assistants" (31-9092).

National Median

$133,260

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$133,260

Entry Level (10th pct)

$95,240

Experienced (90th pct)

$182,200

Total Employed

155,540

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$95,240 - $113,770
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$113,770 - $160,160
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$160,160 - $182,200

Highest Paying Locations for Physician Assistants

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$215,600

+61.8% vs national

Napa, CA

$183,930

+38.0% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$180,540

+35.5% vs national

Modesto, CA

$178,520

+34.0% vs national

Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area

$167,140

+25.4% vs national

Physician Assistants Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$215,600	N/A
Napa, CA	$183,930	N/A
Vallejo, CA	$180,540	130
Modesto, CA	$178,520	200
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$167,140	30
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$167,090	1,980
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$166,730	1,160
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$164,750	90
Urban Honolulu, HI	$163,940	330
Salinas, CA	$163,700	170
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$163,540	15,550
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$163,460	1,910
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$163,190	160
Hawaii	$163,020	440
California	$161,080	13,570
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$160,310	40
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$159,270	250
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$158,690	120
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$158,300	70
Walla Walla, WA	$158,230	30
Washington	$156,990	3,310
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$156,450	980
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$156,410	40
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$156,210	4,710
El Centro, CA	$154,790	40
Dover, DE	$154,660	40
Wildwood-The Villages, FL	$154,550	60
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$154,540	N/A
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$154,480	50
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$154,400	60
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$153,630	760
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$153,530	1,100
New York	$152,650	19,390
Joplin, MO-KS	$152,550	50
Midland, TX	$152,500	40
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$152,240	100
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$151,570	520
Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$151,400	80
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$150,840	130
Fresno, CA	$150,650	350
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$150,610	150
Redding, CA	$150,380	60
Tucson, AZ	$150,350	240
Barnstable Town, MA	$149,990	100
Oregon	$149,130	1,930
Yuba City, CA	$148,960	40
Bellingham, WA	$148,410	80
Chico, CA	$148,370	80
Springfield, MA	$148,240	320
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$148,210	530

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Physician Assistants?

The national median annual salary for Physician Assistants is $133,260, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Physician Assistantss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Physician Assistantss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $215,600.

How much can an experienced Physician Assistants make?

Top-earning Physician Assistantss (90th percentile) make $182,200 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.