Physician assistants are in high demand and their salaries are on the rise, surpassing $130,000 per year, according to recent data from the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
AAPA reported that the total median compensation for physician assistants increased by 5.5% to $134,000 in 2024, up from $127,000 in 2023. The median hourly wage also rose to $75 per hour, compared to $70 in the previous year. Similarly, NCCPA’s report stated that the mean income for PAs rose to $129,291 in 2024, a 12% increase from 2020.
The number of physician assistants is also on the rise, with NCCPA reporting a 6% increase to 189,907 PAs by the end of last year, marking a 27.8% growth over the past five years. This trend is attributed to the growing primary care shortage, prompting states to expand the scope of practice for healthcare professionals like PAs, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists.
States are increasingly allowing PAs to take on more responsibilities, such as prescribing medications, diagnosing illnesses, and providing more direct patient care. This shift is reflected in the increase in the number of PAs per 100,000 population in the U.S., rising from 45 in 2020 to 56 in 2024.
According to NCCPA President and CEO Dawn Morton-Rias, the continued growth of PAs highlights the increasing demand for their services across various healthcare specialties. PAs play a crucial role in patient care as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve.
Physician assistants are nationally certified by the commission and must be licensed in the states where they practice. Most PAs hold a three-year master’s degree, typically from a program that spans around 27 months or three academic years. They work in various healthcare settings, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, and surgery centers, providing services such as diagnosing illnesses, writing prescriptions, and offering preventive care counseling.
While primary care has traditionally been a focal point for PAs, there has been a slight shift in specialty distribution. Surgical subspecialties now account for the largest proportion of PAs at 18.5%, followed closely by family medicine/general practice at 16.3%. The representation in primary care decreased slightly to 22% in 2024, down from 24.4% in 2020, indicating a trend towards specialization within the PA profession.
