How Much Do Physician Assistants Make?
How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2024, the average annual salary for Physician Assistants (PAs) is $133,260 or $64.07 per hour.
The lowest 10 percent of PAs brought home $95,240 or less annually, while the highest 10 percent earned $182,200 or more.
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University of Maryland Global Campus is a respected, accredited public institution focused on serving adult and military-affiliated learners worldwide. UMGC’s online health and emergency management programs are designed to build practical, leadership-ready skills for careers in aging services, health services management, and emergency preparedness.
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Physician Assistant Salary by State
| State | Median Annual Wage | Median Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $48.86 | $101,620 |
| Alaska | $65.55 | $136,350 |
| Arizona | $65.02 | $135,240 |
| Arkansas | $49.78 | $103,550 |
| California | $77.44 | $161,080 |
| Connecticut | $66.56 | $138,440 |
| Delaware | $66.69 | $138,720 |
| District of Columbia | $63.01 | $131,070 |
| Florida | $61.15 | $127,200 |
| Georgia | $52.88 | $109,990 |
| Hawaii | $78.38 | $163,020 |
| Idaho | $62.02 | $129,000 |
| Illinois | $59.13 | $122,990 |
| Indiana | $63.56 | $132,200 |
| Iowa | $64.14 | $133,400 |
| Kansas | $59.83 | $124,440 |
| Kentucky | $53.03 | $110,300 |
| Louisiana | $62.31 | $129,610 |
| Maine | $63.10 | $131,250 |
| Maryland | $64.47 | $134,100 |
| Massachusetts | $66.39 | $138,090 |
| Michigan | $63.45 | $131,980 |
| Minnesota | $66.97 | $139,300 |
| Mississippi | $50.27 | $104,570 |
| Missouri | $66.92 | $139,200 |
| Montana | $63.93 | $132,980 |
| Nebraska | $61.66 | $128,240 |
| Nevada | $64.16 | $133,450 |
| New Hampshire | $66.02 | $137,330 |
| New Jersey | $67.54 | $140,490 |
| New Mexico | $67.30 | $139,990 |
| New York | $73.39 | $152,650 |
| North Carolina | $61.80 | $128,540 |
| North Dakota | $60.66 | $126,180 |
| Ohio | $60.94 | $126,760 |
| Oklahoma | $62.86 | $130,750 |
| Oregon | $71.70 | $149,130 |
| Pennsylvania | $60.04 | $124,880 |
| Rhode Island | $68.08 | $141,600 |
| South Carolina | $57.31 | $119,190 |
| South Dakota | $61.60 | $128,130 |
| Tennessee | $54.80 | $113,990 |
| Texas | $63.85 | $132,810 |
| Utah | $64.61 | $134,390 |
| Vermont | $66.64 | $138,610 |
| Virginia | $65.14 | $135,490 |
| Washington | $75.47 | $156,990 |
| West Virginia | $59.12 | $122,970 |
| Wisconsin | $63.86 | $132,820 |
| Wyoming | $64.10 | $133,330 |
Source: BLS, Retrieved 3 July 2025
Physician Assistant Salary by Years of Experience
As of 2023, physician assistants earn the following salaries by years of experience, according to Payscale.
- Less than 1 years of experience earn an average annual salary of $94,476
- 1-4 years of experience earn an average annual salary of $100,110
- 5-9 years of experience earns an average annual salary of $110,864
- 10-19 years of experience earns an average annual salary of $116,390
- 20+ years of experience earns an average annual salary of $120,981
Physician Assistant Salary by Work Setting
According to the BLS, as of May 2021, the median annual wages for Physician Assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Outpatient care centers: $141,050
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: $134,120
- Offices of physicians: $126,280
- Government: $122,010
- Educational services; state, local, and private: $115,160
Popular Online Masters Healthcare Administration Programs
Prepare for a career in the growing health care field at Purdue Global. Purdue is committed to helping you find the most efficient and affordable path to your goal by applying work experience, prior learning credits, and military experience.
Multiple
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn an ASU health degree, you’re building in-demand skills through a respected and nationally recognized institution. ASU Online’s health programs are designed to prepare graduates for leadership, community impact, and advancement across today’s evolving health and wellness fields.
HLC
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution serving over 200,000 online learners and more than 3,000 on-campus students worldwide. SNHU’s online health and human services programs help students build practical, career-focused skills for today’s healthcare and public health fields.
NECHE, CEPH
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
University of Maryland Global Campus is a respected, accredited public institution focused on serving adult and military-affiliated learners worldwide. UMGC’s online health and emergency management programs are designed to build practical, leadership-ready skills for careers in aging services, health services management, and emergency preparedness.
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn a graduate degree from National University, you develop advanced expertise through a respected institution dedicated to adult and professional learners. National University’s online programs are designed to prepare graduates for leadership, research, and policy-driven impact in behavioral health, social policy, and aging-related fields.
WASC
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
How to Make More Money as a Physician Assistant
Negotiation
PA positions are typically salary-based, which indicates that negotiation can be essential in earning a higher salary.
Overtime
Physician Assistants who work overtime are entitled to increased pay for their additional work hours. Generally, this is considered time-and-a-half pay. In most cases, this means working over 40 hours a week.
The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that all "non-exempt" employees receive overtime pay equal to one-and-one-half times their regular pay rate for every hour over 40 hours worked during a work week.
Per Diem or Contract Employment
Per diem and contract employees earn a higher wage than staff members. They are paid a premium for working less desirable shifts and having shifts canceled at any given time. Per diem employees are not offered guaranteed hours, so remember that a paycheck most likely will not be consistent.
Hazard Pay
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, hazard pay means “additional pay for performing a hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship.” It may also include work duty that causes “extreme physical discomfort and distress.”
Is Becoming a Physician Assistant Worth it?
Becoming a PA is a very in-demand career. According to the BLS, there is a projected growth of 28% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 12,200 openings for physician assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. According to U.S. News & World Report, PAs rank #2 in Best Health Care Jobs, #4 in 100 Best Jobs, and #4 in Best STEM Jobs.
Salaries of Related Nursing Careers vs. Physician Assistant
- Registered Nurses (RNs) earn $93,600 per year, $45.00 per hour as of May 2024, according to the BLS.
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn $129,210 per year as of May 2024, according to the BLS.
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) earn $128,790 per year as of May 2024, according to the BLS.
Popular Online Masters Healthcare Administration Programs
Prepare for a career in the growing health care field at Purdue Global. Purdue is committed to helping you find the most efficient and affordable path to your goal by applying work experience, prior learning credits, and military experience.
Multiple
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn an ASU health degree, you’re building in-demand skills through a respected and nationally recognized institution. ASU Online’s health programs are designed to prepare graduates for leadership, community impact, and advancement across today’s evolving health and wellness fields.
HLC
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution serving over 200,000 online learners and more than 3,000 on-campus students worldwide. SNHU’s online health and human services programs help students build practical, career-focused skills for today’s healthcare and public health fields.
NECHE, CEPH
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
University of Maryland Global Campus is a respected, accredited public institution focused on serving adult and military-affiliated learners worldwide. UMGC’s online health and emergency management programs are designed to build practical, leadership-ready skills for careers in aging services, health services management, and emergency preparedness.
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn a graduate degree from National University, you develop advanced expertise through a respected institution dedicated to adult and professional learners. National University’s online programs are designed to prepare graduates for leadership, research, and policy-driven impact in behavioral health, social policy, and aging-related fields.
WASC
Online
Enrollment: Nationwide
