Over the past few decades, Physician Assistants (PAs) have become an indispensable part of medical teams across the United States. Their essential skillsets, flexibility in practice, and growing numbers have made them vital in various specialties and practice settings. While PAs have the opportunity to choose from a variety of practice sites, certain locations have become particularly popular. Here’s a look at the top practice locations for PAs and an overview of the average earnings associated with these roles.
Physician Offices
The majority of Physician Assistants in the U.S. are employed in physician offices, which continue to be the most popular practice location. As of 2023, over 61,000 PAs are working in private or group physician practices across multiple specialties. On average, PAs in these settings earn $126,010 annually?(1).
Hospitals
Hospitals are the second-largest employer of Physician Assistants, with over 27,000 PAs working in general or surgical hospital settings. These PAs provide essential acute and surgical care to hospitalized patients. The average annual salary for PAs in hospital settings is $131,460(1).
Outpatient Medical Centers
Outpatient medical centers have become increasingly popular, particularly in the last 20 years, as they offer a range of outpatient clinical and surgical services. More than 8,700 PAs are currently practicing in outpatient centers, with an average annual salary of $137,070?(1).
Employment Services
In-house medical services provided by large organizations require specialized healthcare professionals. Over 2,900 PAs are employed in employment services, focusing on occupational healthcare needs. PAs in these settings earn an average of $109,460 annually(1).
Higher Education
PAs employed in higher education, including academic medical centers, colleges, and universities, have the unique opportunity to educate future healthcare providers while also providing clinical services. More than 2,500 PAs work in this field, earning an average annual salary of $106,800(1).
Other Physician Assistant Practitioner Offices
Physician Assistants benefit from the ability to work in multidisciplinary medical teams. Over 1,300 PAs work in collaborative healthcare settings, providing comprehensive care to diverse patient populations. The average annual salary in these settings is $98,180(1).
Discover Physician Assistant Practice Opportunities
Are you ready to take the next step in your Physician Assistant career? PracticeMatch is a free online resource that connects PAs with the Physician Assistant practice locations that meet specific requirements such as office type, location, compensation, and more. Explore available job opportunities today using our nationwide database.
*Originally posted on 5/26/2022. Last updated on 8/15/2024.
Laura Kleffner is the VP of Marketing Operations at PracticeMatch.
She has been with PracticeMatch since 2014. Laura is responsible for the PracticeMatch marketing strategy to reach physicians as well as healthcare organizations with a need for physician recruitment resources.