Careers › Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant: Salary, Requirements & How to Become One
A data-driven guide to the Physician Assistant career path — what the role involves, how to get hired, and how much demand there is right now.
$135,880
median annual salary
$65.33
median hourly pay
162,150
employed nationally
Ad slot — leaderboard (728×90)
How much does a Physician Assistant make?
The median Physician Assistant salary is $135,880 per year (about $65.33/hour). Pay scales with experience, location, and employer — here is the full national distribution:
| Percentile | Annual salary | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry) | $99,380 | Bottom 10% — new entrants, lower-cost areas |
| Median (50th) | $135,880 | Typical Physician Assistant pay |
| 90th (top) | $190,280 | Top 10% — senior, high-cost metros |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, occupation "Physician Assistants" (SOC 29-1071). Official U.S. government wage data.
How to become a Physician Assistant
- Build the core skills — through schooling, certification, or self-study relevant to Physician Assistant work.
- Gain hands-on experience via entry-level roles, internships, or apprenticeships.
- Prepare a targeted resume highlighting measurable results.
- Apply through major job boards and company career pages; filter for "Physician Assistant jobs near me".
Ad slot — in-content rectangle (300×250)
People also search for
physician assistant jobs
Physician Assistant careers — frequently asked questions
- How much does a Physician Assistant make?
- The median Physician Assistant salary is $135,880 per year (about $65.33/hour), per BLS OEWS, May 2025. The middle range runs from $99,380 (10th percentile) to $190,280 (90th percentile), varying by experience, location, and employer.
- How do I become a Physician Assistant?
- Most paths combine relevant education or certification with hands-on experience. Entry-level openings and apprenticeships are a common way in.
- Is Physician Assistant a good career in 2026?
- Physician Assistants employ roughly 162,150 people nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and search demand runs near 50,000 queries per month — both signal steady hiring.