Physician Assistant/Associate

Working conditions

PAs usually work in a comfortable, well-lighted environment. Those in surgery often stand for long periods, and others may do considerable walking.

Schedules will vary according to practice setting or may depend on the hours of the collaborating physician. The workweek of PAs may include weekends, nights and early morning hospital rounds to visit patients. They may also be on call at certain times, including nights and weekends.

Salary Range and Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28% job growth rate for the profession through 2033. In addition to demand, the job is attractive because: 

• The average length of a PA program is only 27 months
• The median salary is $133, 260, according to BLS.
• It offers the flexibility to move into different areas of medicine without additional education and training

Academic requirements

To practice as a physician assistant, you must graduate from an accredited PA program, pass the national certification exam and obtain a license in the state in which you wish to practice. You cannot bypass any of those steps and must complete them in order.

It is important to carefully review the prerequisite course requirements of all programs because they may vary, in some cases greatly. In general, requirements may include a completed bachelor’s degree, science and non-science prerequisites courses, minimum GPAs, health care experience and standardized exams.

Science courses may include but are not limited to:

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Genetics
• Microbiology or bacteriology
• Organic chemistry
• Physics
• Physiology

Non-science courses may include but are not limited to:

• Calculus
• College-level algebra
• English composition
• Humanities
• Literature
• Medical terminology
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Speech
• Statistics
• Technical writing

The number of accredited PA programs has increased to 311 as of June 2025. The PA Education Association provides a list of CASPA participating programs. The list is updated in February each year and can be used to search for programs and to compare admissions criteria. 

The Physician Assistant Education Association provides a list of PA programs. The list is updated in May each year and can be used to search for programs and to compare admissions criteria.

The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) makes it easy to apply to multiple PA programs using a single application, one set of transcripts, one set of letters of recommendation and one personal statement. The CASPA Facebook page provides additional information about the application cycle and the process of applying.

Resources

• Watch a video about what PAs like most about their profession.
• Read more about what PAs do and listen to the reasons they love their job.
• Sign up to learn more about the PA profession and CASPA using this PAEA inquiry form.
• Visit this PAEA microsite and customize your learning experience about becoming a Physician Assistant.
• Follow thePA Focus blog and Facebook page to learn more about PA careers and applying to PA programs.
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants
• American Academy of Physician Assistants
• Central Application Service for Physician Assistants
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
• Physician Assistant Education Association