Physician Assistant/Associate

Physician Assistant/Associate

In its 2025 ranking of Best Health Care Jobs, U.S. News & World Report ranked physician assistant/associate (PA) second, and third in best jobs overall. PAs are skilled, licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. They are part of a medical team that works in collaboration with a physician, physician team, or medical practice.

PAs work on healthcare teams to deliver high-quality, cost-effective medical care. Due to their training across all specialties, PAs can easily transition between specialties without requiring additional schooling.

PAs work across many specialties, including primary care, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and women’s health, providing a wide variety of clinical services, such as: 

  • Performing medical exams and procedures
  • Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests
  • Diagnosing and treating disease
  • Prescribing medication
  • Assisting in surgery

Every day, thousands of people have access to quality healthcare because there are PAs in their communities. PAs are critical to increasing access to care, as they are often the only health providers in medically underserved areas and provide preventative care and important patient education. It’s estimated that PAs provided care to about 11.4 million patients each week in 2024, according to the National Commission on Certification on PAs 2024 Statistical Profile of Board Certified PAs.

NCCPA also reported that in 2024, 87.1% of PAs reported being satisfied with their career choice, and 83.6% are satisfied with their present job. 

The Physician Assistant Education Association reviewed this career profile.

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  • Average Salary

    $133,260

  • Years Higher Education

    6 - 7

  • Job Outlook

    Very Good