How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make? (Salary by State)
What does a physician assistant do?
PAs provide medical care as part of a health-care team. Their responsibilities depend on specialty, state law, workplace privileges and experience. Common duties include:
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Taking medical histories and performing physical examinations
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Diagnosing illnesses and injuries
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Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and imaging
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Developing and monitoring treatment plans
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Prescribing medication where authorized
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Performing procedures and assisting in surgery
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Counseling patients about treatment and prevention
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Recording care in electronic health records
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Consulting and collaborating with physicians and other clinicians
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Making referrals and coordinating follow-up care
PAs work in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient centers, urgent care, government facilities and educational settings. They may practice in family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, dermatology, psychiatry, cardiology and many other specialties.
How much does a physician assistant make nationally?
The BLS median of $133,260 means half of physician assistants earned more and half earned less in May 2024. Median pay differs from an average, which adds reported salaries and divides by the number of observations.
The benchmark competitor reports an Indeed national average base salary of $116,475 per year, with a displayed range of $82,822 to $163,804. Job-site estimates use a different source and method than BLS, so the figures should not be combined or treated as contradictory. They reflect different samples, dates and definitions.
Total compensation may also include:
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Productivity or quality bonuses
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Shift differentials
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Overtime or additional-call pay
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Signing and retention bonuses
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Health and retirement benefits
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Paid leave and continuing medical education funds
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Malpractice coverage
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Loan repayment or relocation assistance
Physician assistant salary by state
The following table reproduces the average base salary estimates displayed in the benchmark Indeed article, accessed in August 2026. These are not BLS state medians. Job-site figures can change as reports and postings change, and an estimate based on limited observations can be unusually high or low. Verify current local postings and employer offers before comparing states.
| State | Reported average base salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $100,267 |
| Alaska | $100,944 |
| Arizona | $118,616 |
| Arkansas | $60,650 |
| California | $132,316 |
| Colorado | $105,134 |
| Connecticut | $119,060 |
| Delaware | $137,362 |
| Florida | $104,279 |
| Georgia | $108,065 |
| Hawaii | $39,944 |
| Idaho | $111,546 |
| Illinois | $110,982 |
| Indiana | $110,336 |
| Iowa | $107,317 |
| Kansas | $95,719 |
| Kentucky | $97,545 |
| Louisiana | $105,322 |
| Maine | $125,052 |
| Maryland | $111,631 |
| Massachusetts | $119,561 |
| Michigan | $103,972 |
| Minnesota | $109,507 |
| Mississippi | $58,831 |
| Missouri | $105,570 |
| Montana | $95,517 |
| Nebraska | $106,168 |
| Nevada | $111,253 |
| New Hampshire | $45,882 |
| New Jersey | $118,368 |
| New Mexico | $119,994 |
| New York | $128,861 |
| North Carolina | $104,572 |
| North Dakota | $173,347 |
| Ohio | $109,141 |
| Oklahoma | $109,514 |
| Oregon | $125,587 |
| Pennsylvania | $105,340 |
| Rhode Island | $102,677 |
| South Carolina | $107,282 |
| South Dakota | $117,468 |
| Tennessee | $113,672 |
| Texas | $110,210 |
| Utah | $107,345 |
| Vermont | $133,264 |
| Virginia | $109,294 |
| Washington | $120,334 |
| West Virginia | $122,555 |
| Wisconsin | $116,690 |
| Wyoming | $113,238 |
The very low or high figures in several states should be treated cautiously. They may reflect small samples, part-time reports, job-title inconsistencies or rapidly changing inputs. The table is useful for matching the competitor's state-level search intent, but the current BLS state and area tables, local job listings and actual offers are better sources for a relocation decision.
States with the highest reported salaries
In the table above, the five highest reported Indeed averages are:
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North Dakota: $173,347
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Delaware: $137,362
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Vermont: $133,264
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California: $132,316
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New York: $128,861
This is not a definitive ranking of state PA pay. A small number of salary reports can move an average substantially. Cost of living, state taxes, specialty mix and employment opportunities also affect whether a nominally higher salary creates better purchasing power.
Physician assistant salary by work setting
BLS reports the following May 2024 median wages for major industries employing PAs:
| Work setting | Median annual wage |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $151,470 |
| Outpatient care centers | $147,650 |
| Hospitals; state, local and private | $136,630 |
| Offices of physicians | $129,640 |
| Educational services; state, local and private | $127,900 |
Industry medians do not control an individual offer. A hospital PA working nights in a high-demand specialty may receive a different package from a clinic PA with a predictable weekday schedule.
Factors that affect physician assistant salary
Experience
New graduates may begin near the lower end of an employer's range while they develop efficiency and specialty knowledge. Experienced PAs may manage more complex cases, mentor colleagues, lead programs or negotiate productivity-based compensation.
Medical specialty
Emergency medicine, surgery, critical care, dermatology and other procedure-heavy or high-acuity specialties may offer different pay from general outpatient practice. Specialty pay also depends on local demand, schedule and revenue model.
Practice setting
Hospitals, outpatient centers, private practices, academic institutions and government facilities use different compensation structures. Compare base salary, bonus criteria, call duties, benefits and professional expenses.
Location
State and metropolitan labor markets affect pay. Rural or underserved employers may offer recruitment incentives, while high-cost cities may pay more but require much higher housing and commuting expenses.
Schedule and call
Evening, night, weekend, holiday and on-call responsibilities can increase compensation through differentials or extra pay. Ask whether quoted salary includes required call or additional shifts.
Productivity model
Some employers pay only salary; others add bonuses based on visits, work relative value units, collections, quality or team performance. Understand thresholds, attribution, exclusions and when bonuses are paid.
Negotiation and total package
Two offers with the same base salary can have different value. Retirement contributions, health premiums, paid leave, continuing education, licensing fees, malpractice coverage and loan assistance should be included in the comparison.
How to become a physician assistant
1. Complete prerequisite education
Applicants commonly earn a bachelor's degree and complete science prerequisites. Programs may require or strongly value direct patient-care experience. Requirements differ, so review each accredited program rather than assuming one universal checklist.
2. Graduate from an accredited PA program
Entry into the profession typically requires a master's degree from an accredited physician assistant program. Education combines medical science with supervised clinical rotations across major areas of practice.
3. Pass the national certification examination
Graduates generally must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants to earn the PA-C credential.
4. Obtain state licensure
The BLS states that all states require physician assistants to be licensed. Requirements and practice laws differ by state, and a license does not automatically transfer without an application.
5. Maintain certification and licensure
PAs complete continuing medical education and meet certification and state renewal rules. Employers may also require specialty training, life-support credentials, background checks and credentialing.
Job outlook for physician assistants
BLS projects physician assistant employment to grow 20% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. It projects about 12,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Demand is connected to population growth, aging, chronic disease and health systems' use of team-based care. Projections describe the occupation nationally and do not guarantee equal demand in every specialty or region.
How to increase earning potential as a PA
Build specialty expertise
Clinical competence in an in-demand specialty can expand opportunities. Choose training based on genuine interest, local demand and the quality of supervision rather than salary alone.
Document your contribution
Track patient volume, quality improvements, program development, access gains and other results permitted by policy. Do not use protected patient information. Evidence strengthens a compensation discussion.
Understand the compensation formula
Ask how base pay, productivity, quality, call and extra shifts are calculated. Model realistic scenarios and confirm whether targets are achievable with the assigned schedule and support.
Compare the entire offer
Estimate the value of paid leave, insurance, retirement, continuing education, professional dues, licensing, malpractice coverage and loan assistance. Also review restrictive covenants and notice requirements with qualified counsel when appropriate.
Consider location carefully
A hard-to-fill market may provide negotiating leverage, but relocation has personal and financial costs. Compare after-tax income, housing, workload and career development rather than state salary alone.
Compare PA career options with Dokie
Dokie can help organize salary data, specialty options and offer details into a clear career presentation. Use it to compare base pay, bonuses, schedules, benefits and living costs or to turn your training and clinical achievements into structured interview talking points.
Review every figure and remove patient or employer-confidential information before sharing. Dokie supports research organization and presentation drafting; it does not replace current salary data, clinical guidance, licensing authorities or professional legal and financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median physician assistant salary?
The BLS reports a national median annual wage of $133,260 as of May 2024. This means half of PAs earned more and half earned less.
Which state pays physician assistants the most?
The displayed Indeed state averages place North Dakota first at $173,347. Because state job-site samples can be small, verify this figure with current BLS data and actual local offers.
What is the difference between a physician assistant and a medical assistant?
A physician assistant is a licensed clinician educated at the graduate level who diagnoses and treats patients. A medical assistant usually performs clinical and administrative support and follows a different education and scope-of-practice path.
Do physician assistants need a master's degree?
Entry into current PA practice generally requires graduation from an accredited master's-level PA program, followed by certification and state licensure.
Can physician assistants prescribe medication?
PAs can prescribe medication when authorized under the law and practice requirements of their jurisdiction. Specific authority varies by state and setting.
What specialties pay PAs the most?
Compensation varies over time, but procedure-heavy, surgical and high-acuity specialties may offer higher pay. Schedule, call and productivity can be as important as the specialty name.
Is becoming a physician assistant worth it?
It can be rewarding for people who want substantial clinical responsibility and team-based patient care. Consider tuition, training intensity, debt, work setting and long-term interests alongside salary and projected demand.