Physician Assistants
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$135,880/yr
Typical range
$120,670 – $163,980
Education
Master's degree
Time to entry
About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's)
What a Physician Assistants does
Physician assistants work under doctor supervision to examine patients, diagnose conditions, order tests, and prescribe medications across various medical specialties. They provide direct patient care and help expand access to healthcare services.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a master's degree. About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's).
Estimated cost of that path: ~$70,000. Estimated payback: ~3 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Clinical Nurse Specialists — $97,550/yr
- Acute Care Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Critical Care Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
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