Physician Assistant Salary and Compensation

Physician assistants earn a median salary of $133,260 per year, with top earners exceeding $182,200. Your setting, specialty, location, and experience all shape where you land in that range.

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PA Median Earnings Salary by State PA Pay Factors Pay by Work Setting

Did You Know?

Government PAs average $151,470 per year — the highest of any work setting — and they also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which can eliminate remaining student debt after 10 years of qualifying payments.

How Much Do Physician Assistants Make?

The median physician assistant salary is $133,260 per year, according to BLS May 2024 data. The mean annual wage comes in slightly higher at $136,900, with an hourly median of $64.07. The full range spans from $95,240 at the 10th percentile to $182,200 at the 90th percentile. To put this in perspective, the national median for all occupations is around $49,500 — so even PAs at the lower end of the pay scale earn nearly double the typical American worker. It's a genuinely strong salary right out of the gate.

But that number alone doesn't tell your whole story. Where you work, which state you practice in, your specialty, your experience level, and your employment type all create meaningful differences in what you actually take home. You also need to factor in student debt — the average PA graduate carries $115,000 to $130,000 in loans, which translates to roughly $1,200 to $1,500 per month in payments. The real earnings picture improves substantially over time as loans are paid down and your salary grows with experience and specialization.

Physician Assistant Salary Data

Salary information based on U.S. Department of Labor O*NET data. Select your state and metro area to view localized salary ranges.

National Salary Distribution

5 Factors That Affect Your PA Salary

Your PA salary isn't a fixed number — it's a range shaped by several key factors you can actually control. Two PAs who graduated from the same program in the same year can have very different incomes depending on where they work, what specialty they choose, which state they practice in, and how they structure their employment. Understanding these factors gives you real power to make smarter career and financial decisions from your very first job offer onward.

The good news is that the PA profession offers multiple legitimate paths to higher earnings. You can specialize in a high-paying surgical field, pursue locum tenens contracts, take on leadership responsibilities, negotiate overtime and on-call pay, or even explore practice ownership. Each path has different trade-offs in terms of lifestyle, stability, and earning ceiling. There's no single best route — the right one depends on your personal goals, risk tolerance, and the kind of life you want to build outside of work.

What Drives Your PA Paycheck

1

Work Setting Makes the Biggest Difference

$131K - $151K Range

Government positions pay the most at $151,470 mean — that includes VA hospitals, military bases, and federal agencies. You also get strong benefits, pension plans, and PSLF eligibility. Outpatient care centers ($137,040) and hospitals ($134,280) are solid middle-ground options. Physician offices average $131,490. Educational services tend to pay less but offer schedule predictability and stability. The specialty within your setting adds another layer — a hospital PA in surgery earns differently than one in internal medicine.

2

Geographic Location Matters More Than You Think

$100K - $154K by State

California leads the nation at roughly $153,960 mean, followed by Alaska (~$148,480), Connecticut (~$145,000), Washington (~$143,000), and New Jersey (~$142,000). On the other end, Mississippi, Alabama, and West Virginia fall in the $100,000 to $108,000 range. But here's what most salary tables miss: cost of living changes everything. Earning $110,000 in a low-cost state can stretch further than $154,000 in the Bay Area. Always compare net purchasing power, not just the gross number.

3

Experience Builds Your Earning Power Over Time

$90K → $200K+

New PA graduates typically start between $90,000 and $110,000 depending on location and specialty. Within a few years, most PAs reach $120,000 to $150,000 as they build clinical confidence and take on more autonomy. Senior clinicians with 10 to 19 years of experience commonly earn $135,000 to $170,000, and those in leadership or surgical specialties can push past $200,000. The first few years may feel tight with student loan payments, but your earnings trajectory improves steadily and substantially.

4

Specialty Choice Significantly Impacts Pay

Wide Range by Specialty

Surgical subspecialties like cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedics often pay $150,000 to $200,000 or more. Emergency medicine and dermatology PAs also command premium salaries in the $130,000 to $180,000 range. Cardiology falls around $125,000 to $165,000. Primary care and family medicine PAs typically earn $100,000 to $135,000 — lower pay, but often better schedules and stronger work-life balance. The beauty of the PA profession is that you can switch specialties, so you're never permanently locked into any compensation tier.

5

Employment Type Changes the Equation

Staff vs Locum vs Owner

Staff positions offer stability and benefits, typically paying $110,000 to $160,000. Locum tenens contracts pay $500 to $1,000 or more per day with housing stipends — annualized, that's $130,000 to $200,000+. Per diem work offers higher hourly rates but no benefits. Private practice ownership carries the highest earning ceiling but also real business risk. Overtime, on-call pay, and shift differentials can add $10,000 to $30,000+ to your base salary. Let your lifestyle priorities guide which path makes sense.

PA Salary Snapshot (BLS May 2024)

Median Annual: $133,260
Mean Annual: $136,900
Median Hourly: $64.07
10th Percentile: $95,240
90th Percentile: $182,200
Highest-Paying Setting: Government ($151,470 mean)
Highest-Paying State: California (~$153,960 mean)

Physician Assistant Salary FAQs

What is the starting salary for a new PA graduate?

Most new PA graduates start between $90,000 and $110,000 depending on location, work setting, and specialty. Surgical and emergency medicine positions tend to offer higher starting pay than primary care or pediatrics. The first couple of years can feel financially tight when you factor in student loan payments of $1,200 to $1,500 per month. But salary typically climbs to $120,000 to $140,000 or more within three to five years as you gain clinical experience and develop your specialty skills.

Is the PA salary worth the student debt?

For most graduates, yes. Average PA debt runs $115,000 to $130,000 against a median salary of $133,260. Monthly loan payments are significant but manageable on a six-figure income. Choosing an affordable in-state program can save $50,000 to $80,000 in tuition costs alone. PAs at government or nonprofit employers can pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness to eliminate remaining debt after 10 years. Income-driven repayment plans also help. Combined with strong job growth and career flexibility, the return on investment is excellent.

Do locum tenens PAs really make more money?

Yes — locum tenens PA contracts typically pay $500 to $1,000 or more per day, and most include housing stipends and travel reimbursement. Annualized, that comes to $130,000 to $200,000 or more, often exceeding comparable staff positions. But there are real trade-offs: frequent relocation, no long-term patient relationships, variable assignment quality, and potential gaps between contracts. Locum tenens work is best suited for experienced PAs who are flexible, enjoy variety, and don't have strong location-dependent commitments.

Which PA specialties pay the most?

Surgical subspecialties consistently pay the most — cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery PAs often earn $150,000 to $200,000 or more. Emergency medicine and dermatology PAs also command premium compensation, typically $130,000 to $180,000. Cardiology falls in the $125,000 to $165,000 range. Primary care and pediatrics pay less but typically offer better work-life balance and predictable schedules. The PA profession's flexibility to switch specialties means you can optimize for income at any point in your career.

Can physician assistants make over $180,000 a year?

Absolutely — the top 10 percent of PAs earn $182,200 or more according to BLS data. PAs in high-paying states like California, surgical subspecialties, locum tenens contracts, leadership positions, or private practice can reach or exceed this level. The main drivers are experience, geographic location, specialty choice, and willingness to take on demanding schedules or on-call responsibilities. It typically takes 10 or more years or a high-acuity specialty path to get there, but it's an achievable goal for motivated PAs.

The physician assistant profession offers genuinely strong compensation with clear and well-defined paths to grow your income over time. A median salary of $133,260 puts you in excellent financial territory from the start, and the ceiling reaches $182,200 or more for experienced PAs in the right specialties and settings. Be thoughtful about managing your student debt early — choose your PA program wisely, explore loan forgiveness options, and select your first position with both career development and financial health in mind. The decisions you make in your first few years set the foundation.

Think beyond your starting salary and consider the full 20 to 30 year career arc. Geographic flexibility, the ability to switch specialties, and willingness to explore paths like locum tenens, surgical subspecialties, or leadership roles can significantly boost your lifetime earnings. The PA profession's job security is exceptional — 20 percent projected growth through 2034 means sustained demand and real negotiating power for years to come. You're entering a profession that rewards you financially while giving you the flexibility to build the career and lifestyle you actually want.

Physician Assistant Salary by Work Setting

Where you work as a PA has a major impact on your pay. Government positions lead the pack, but every setting offers distinct advantages beyond the salary number alone.

Government

Highest-Paying Setting

Mean salary of $151,470 per year — the highest of any PA work setting. Includes VA hospitals, military bases, and federal agencies. You also get exceptional benefits packages, pension plans, strong job security, and PSLF eligibility for student loan forgiveness. Many government PA roles offer predictable schedules.

Requirements
  • Mean annual wage: $151,470
  • Strong benefits and job security
  • PSLF eligibility for student loan forgiveness

Outpatient Care Centers

Specialty & Urgent Care

Mean salary of $137,040 per year. Includes urgent care clinics, specialty outpatient centers, and ambulatory surgery facilities. You get varied caseloads with generally predictable daytime scheduling. This sector is growing rapidly as healthcare continues shifting from inpatient to outpatient models. Many positions offer production bonuses or productivity incentives on top of base pay.

Requirements
  • Mean annual wage: $137,040
  • Varied clinical caseload
  • Production bonuses may supplement base pay

Hospitals

Acute Care, Surgery & EM

Mean salary of $134,280 per year. Covers acute care floors, inpatient medicine, surgical first assisting, and emergency departments. Hospitals typically offer comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous PTO. Team-based environments with strong support. Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials can meaningfully increase your take-home pay.

Requirements
  • Mean annual wage: $134,280
  • Full benefits packages common
  • Shift differentials may increase take-home pay

Physician Offices

Primary Care & Specialty Practice

Mean salary of $131,490 per year. Includes primary care offices, single-specialty practices, and multispecialty physician groups. Many positions offer predictable scheduling with daytime hours and limited call. Caseloads range from routine wellness visits to complex chronic disease management. Some practices offer partnership tracks or profit-sharing arrangements for experienced PAs.

Requirements
  • Mean annual wage: $131,490
  • Predictable scheduling common
  • Partnership or profit-sharing may be available

Locum Tenens Physician Assistant

Highest Gross Pay Potential

Daily rates of $500 to $1,000 or more, typically including housing stipends and travel reimbursement. Short-term contracts run 4 to 13 weeks in high-demand locations nationwide. Annualized gross compensation can reach $130,000 to $200,000 or more. Ideal for PAs who want geographic adventure, schedule flexibility, and maximum earnings potential. Trade-offs include frequent moves and variable assignments.

Requirements
  • Daily rate: $500 - $1,000+ (with stipends)
  • Typically 1-2 years experience required
  • Contracts usually 4-13 weeks

Understanding the Real Value of Your PA Salary

When you compare PA salaries across states, the raw numbers can be misleading. A $110,000 salary in Mississippi or the rural Midwest can stretch much further than $154,000 in San Francisco or Manhattan. Housing costs alone can create a $20,000 to $40,000 difference in effective purchasing power. State income taxes vary widely too — some states have no income tax at all. Before you chase the highest number on a salary map, do the math on what your take-home pay actually buys you in that specific market. Some of the lowest-paying states for PAs offer excellent quality of life per dollar earned.

You also need to factor in student debt when evaluating your real compensation. The average PA graduate carries $115,000 to $130,000 in loans, which means monthly payments of $1,200 to $1,500 for years after graduation. This makes your choice of PA program critically important — an affordable in-state public program can save you $50,000 to $80,000 compared to private schools while giving you the exact same PA-C credential. If you work for a government facility, VA hospital, or nonprofit health system, you may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which eliminates remaining debt after 10 years of qualifying payments.

Quick Facts

Median Annual $133,260
Mean Annual $136,900
Median Hourly $64.07

Did You Know?

Physician assistants earn nearly three times the national median wage for all occupations. Even PAs in the lowest-paying states earn well above six figures, and government PAs qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through PSLF.

Mean Salary by Setting ($K)

🎓 Earnings Growth Pathways for PAs

The PA profession gives you multiple career tracks for growing your income — and you can switch between them at any point. You might start in primary care, move into a surgical specialty for higher pay, try locum tenens for a year to pay down loans aggressively, and then settle into a leadership role at a hospital system. Every path starts with the same master's degree and PA-C credential. Your career trajectory is shaped by the choices you make after graduation, not just the degree itself.

It's also worth remembering that salary isn't everything when you're evaluating your total compensation. Benefits like health insurance, retirement matching, paid time off, CME allowances, and malpractice coverage all have real dollar value. Work-life balance, schedule predictability, patient population, and professional satisfaction matter too. A primary care PA position paying $120,000 with great hours, no call, and strong benefits may deliver more life satisfaction than a surgical PA job at $175,000 with demanding hours and frequent overnight call. Define what matters most to you. For deeper profession-wide data, the AAPA Salary Report is a valuable resource.

Three Paths to Higher PA Earnings

🔪 Specialty Advancement Into High-Paying Fields ▼

One of the most straightforward ways to increase your PA salary is to move into a higher-paying specialty. Surgical subspecialties like cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedics routinely pay $150,000 to $200,000 or more. Emergency medicine and dermatology also command premium compensation.

  • Surgical PA: $150,000 - $200,000+
  • Emergency Medicine: $130,000 - $170,000+
  • Dermatology: $130,000 - $180,000+

Higher pay usually comes with more demanding schedules, so weigh the trade-offs carefully.

✈️ Locum Tenens and Contract Work for Maximum Gross Pay ▼

Locum tenens contracts are the fastest way to boost your gross income as a PA. Daily rates of $500 to $1,000 or more — plus tax-advantaged housing stipends and travel reimbursement — can push your annualized compensation to $130,000 to $200,000 or more.

  • Contract length: Typically 4-13 weeks
  • Experience needed: Usually 1-2 years minimum
  • Best for: PAs who are flexible, enjoy travel, and want to accelerate loan payoff

Many PAs use locum tenens strategically for a few years before settling into a permanent role.

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💡 PA Salary Facts You Should Know

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Money Facts Most PAs Don't Talk About

The median PA salary of $133,260 is nearly three times the national median for all occupations ($49,500). Even the lowest-paying states for physician assistants offer annual mean wages well above $100,000 in most cases, placing PAs among the highest-paid healthcare professionals nationwide.

Money Facts Most PAs Don't Talk About

Government PAs average $151,470 annually — the highest of any employment setting. VA hospitals and federal agencies also offer exceptional benefits including pension plans, generous PTO, health insurance, and PSLF eligibility that can effectively increase total compensation by $20,000 to $30,000 or more per year.

Money Facts Most PAs Don't Talk About

Surgical subspecialty PAs — particularly in cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedics — often earn $150,000 to $200,000 or more. But the higher pay reflects demanding schedules, frequent on-call requirements, and long hours in the operating room. The increased compensation comes with real lifestyle trade-offs that you should weigh carefully.

Money Facts Most PAs Don't Talk About

Locum tenens PA contracts often include tax-free housing stipends that don't appear in standard base pay comparisons. When you factor in stipends, travel reimbursement, and license fee coverage, total compensation can be $30,000 to $50,000 or more above comparable staff PA positions at the same facility.

Money Facts Most PAs Don't Talk About

The gap between the highest-paying state (California at roughly $153,960 mean) and the lowest-paying states (around $100,000 to $105,000 mean) is approximately $50,000. But California's cost of living — especially housing and state income taxes — can easily erase that difference. Always compare net purchasing power, not just gross salary numbers.