What is the Average Salary for a Medical Physician Assistant?

PAs are in high demand and can earn a comfortable salary. Here’s what you can expect to make as a medical Physician assistant

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Job Description

Medical physician assistants provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services under the supervision of a licensed physician. They take medical histories, provide counseling on health maintenance, conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat common conditions and injuries, assist in surgery and prescribe medications.

Most Medical Physician Assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals or clinics. Some may also work in nursing homes schools, prisons or for the government.

Duties

Medical physician assistants are health care professionals who provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive Health Care services under the supervision of a licensed physician. They take medical histories, conduct physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays, make diagnoses, prescribe medications and provide patient education and counseling.

Work Schedule

Most medical physician assistants work full time. In fact, almost one in four worked more than 40 hours per week in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They may work evenings or weekends, on call, or overnight in some settings, such as hospitals. Some physician assistants also may be required to be on call, meaning that they must be available to work at all hours on a given day or night.

Education and Training

Most physician assistants have a master’s degree from an accredited educational program. As of 2016, there were more than 200 such programs across the United States most of which last about 27 months. Although most states require physician assistants to complete an accredited degree program and pass a licensing exam, a few states allow individuals to begin work after completing a bachelor’s degree or certificate program and passing an exam.

Salary

Medical Physician Assistants (MPAs) are in high demand due to the current shortage of physicians. MPAs are trained to provide a wide range of medical services and can work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and clinics to private practices.

The average salary for a Medical Physician Assistant is $92,000 per year. Salary ranges can vary widely, depending on factors such as experience, location, and type of practice. Entry-level MPAs can expect to earn around $75,000 per year, while those with more experience may earn $100,000 or more per year.

Job Outlook

Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that medical physician assistant employment will grow much faster than the average for all occupations, at a rate of 37 percent between 2016 and 2026. In comparison, all occupations are expected to grow by about 7 percent during this time period. The demand for medical physician assistants is driven by an aging population that needs more medical care and an emphasis on preventive care and treatment of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.

Pros and Cons

The median annual wage for physician assistants was $106,860 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $69,660, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $144,540.

Licensing and Certification

Before you can work as a medical physician assistant, you must obtain a license from your state’s medical board. To do this, you will need to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). In order to sit for the PANCE, you must first complete an accredited physician assistant program. Once you have passed the PANCE and obtained your license, you may also choose to become certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Certification is not required in all states, but it may improve your job prospects.

The average salary for a medical physician assistant is $105,000 per year. Salaries typically range from $75,000 to $135,000 per year. Factors that can affect your salary include your experience level, geographical location, and the type of facility where you work.

Advancement Opportunities

Medical physician assistants (MPAs) are health care professionals who provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services under the supervision of licensed physicians. MPAs conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide patient education and counseling. They may also assist in surgery.

Most MPAs work in primary care, but they may also work in specialty areas such as cardiology, oncology, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics, emergency medicine, and pediatrics. Some MPAs have faculty positions in colleges and universities where they teach courses and conduct research.

In order to become an MPA, individuals must complete an accredited physician assistant program consisting of at least two years of undergraduate coursework followed by two years of graduate-level coursework. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates must then pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to obtain certification.

Key Skills

When it comes to becoming a medical physician assistant, there are several key skills that you will need to possess in order to be successful in this field. First and foremost, you will need to have excellent communication skills. This is because you will be working closely with patients on a daily basis and you will need to be able to effectively communicate with them in order to provide them with the best possible care. Additionally, you will also need to be detail-oriented and organized. This is because you will be responsible for keeping track of a lot of information on a daily basis and you will need to be able to quickly and easily access this information when it is needed. Finally, you should also have a strong interest in medicine and helping others. This is because a career as a medical physician assistant can be very rewarding, both personally and professionally.