Why become a physician’s assistant?
A physician’s assistant (PA) is a licensed medical professional who works alongside physicians and other healthcare providers to deliver patient care. PAs work in all areas of medicine, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, and psychiatry.
Due to the educational training being significantly shorter, many students choose to pursue a career as a PA instead of a physician. PAs also have the flexibility to switch between specialties without returning to school for additional training.
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 27% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. As of 2023, the median annual wage for a physician’s assistant was $130,020.
