Physician Assistants
Physician assistants provide healthcare services under physician supervision, including conducting physical exams, diagnosing conditions, and treating patients. They work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other medical settings across various specialties. Physician assistants may prescribe medications depending on state regulations and must complete an accredited master's degree program.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against physician assistants and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves seeing patients for scheduled appointments and walk-in visits, conducting physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and documenting patient encounters. Physician assistants collaborate with supervising physicians on complex cases, discuss treatment plans with patients, and may perform minor procedures. Administrative tasks include reviewing lab results, updating medical records, and communicating with other healthcare providers about patient care.
Who this work suits
Holland code SIC. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy solving medical problems and understanding how human systems work, which draws investigative types to this role. You also tend to be motivated by helping people through direct care, reflecting social interests. Success requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively within a healthcare team under physician oversight.
What it takes
Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a master’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Prescribing Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - 1099 Contractor - Manchester, PA · Lyra Health · Manchester, PA
- COL-2026-059 | Advanced Practice Clinician – Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) / Physician Assistant (PA) · Colwyn Group · Sacramento, Sacramento County · $277,164–$277,164
- Advance Practice Professional (NP/PA) - Hilborn Occ Health · Northbay Healthcare · Suisun, Solano County · $183,913–$235,352
- VCS Assistant Canteen Chief- Pittsburgh PA · Veterans Health Administration · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · $57780–$57780
- Physician Assistant - Primary Care · Veterans Health Administration · Dayton, Ohio · $105165–$186788
- Physician Assistant- Primary Care · Veterans Health Administration · York, Pennsylvania · $111809–$183067
- Physician Assistant · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Belvoir, Virginia · $102415–$133142
- Physician Assistant- Primary Care · Veterans Health Administration · Muskogee, Oklahoma · $116425–$154705
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $134,710 | $165,690 | $192,370 | 4,790 |
| California | $136,730 | $165,650 | $206,990 | 13,600 |
| Washington | $138,050 | $164,360 | $177,930 | 3,540 |
| Hawaii | $126,780 | $164,050 | $170,060 | 530 |
| New York | $134,480 | $160,880 | $174,710 | 19,140 |
| Oregon | $134,390 | $155,780 | $169,550 | 2,250 |
| New Hampshire | $134,050 | $150,960 | $170,790 | 1,060 |
| Alaska | $126,530 | $150,700 | $169,930 | 700 |
| Vermont | $131,400 | $150,490 | $166,050 | 410 |
| Massachusetts | $128,020 | $142,410 | $169,980 | 4,470 |
| Montana | $129,750 | $141,470 | $156,350 | 600 |
| Minnesota | $131,720 | $141,190 | $163,690 | 3,660 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Physician Assistant - Certified (PA-C) — National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
- Orthopaedic Physician's Assistant Certification (OPA-C) — National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants
- Certified Physician Assistant - Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CVTS) — National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
- Certified Physician Assistant - Hospital Medicine (CPA-HM) — National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
- Certified Physician Assistant - Emergency Medicine (PA-CEM) — National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
- Certified Physician Assistant - Nephrology (PA-CN) — National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against physician assistants and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-1071.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.