If you're a physician assistant/associate looking for a new job in 2026, you're in luck — and I mean really in luck.
The PA job market is absolutely booming. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 20% employment growth for PAs from 2024 to 2034 (much faster than the average for all occupations). U.S. News ranked PAs among the best jobs of 2026, and the median salary now sits at $133,260. Whether you're a new grad, a seasoned PA looking for a change, or someone eyeing locum tenens or telehealth work, there has never been a better time to be on the hunt.
But with so many job search platforms out there, where should you actually spend your time? I've tested, researched, and compared the best job search websites and tools for PAs in 2026 — and a lot has changed since I last updated this list. Some old favorites have faded (RIP Craigslist job searches), exciting new platforms have emerged, and AI is transforming how we search for and apply to jobs.
Here's my updated guide to the best places to find your next PA position.
Need help with your physician assistant resume or cover letter?
Quick Note on the Title Change
You may have noticed I’m using “physician assistant/associate” throughout this post. The AAPA officially adopted “physician associate” as the profession’s new title in 2021, and three states — Oregon (first, in 2024), Maine, and New Hampshire — have already made the change legally, with active legislation in Ohio, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. During this transition, you’ll see both terms in job listings — so search for both “physician assistant” AND “physician associate” when using these platforms to make sure you don’t miss any opportunities.
Quick Comparison: Best PA Job Search Platforms at a Glance
| Platform | Best For | PA-Specific? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Networking + job search (92K+ PA jobs) | No | Free / Premium | |
| Indeed | Largest general job board with strong PA listings | No | Free |
| AAPA Career Central | The gold standard for PA-only job listings | Yes | Free |
| ZipRecruiter | One-click apply, recruiter connections | No | Free |
| Doximity | Medical professional network + job board | Healthcare | Free |
| DocCafe | 10,000+ PA jobs across 80+ specialties | Healthcare | Free |
| Vivian Health | Travel, locum tenens, and staff PA positions | Healthcare | Free |
| Google for Jobs | Aggregates listings from all major job sites | No | Free |
| CompHealth | Locum tenens and temporary assignments | Healthcare | Free |
| Glassdoor | Salary research + company reviews + jobs | No | Free |
Now let's dig into each one.
The Best General Job Search Platforms for PAs
These are the big, well-known platforms that every PA job seeker should have in their toolkit. They cast the widest net and typically have the most listings.
1. LinkedIn
If I could only recommend one platform for PA job seekers in 2026, it would be LinkedIn — and that surprises even me.
LinkedIn has transformed from a simple professional networking site into the most powerful job search and career management tool available. With over 92,000 physician assistant positions currently listed, it has more PA jobs than almost any other single platform. But here's what really sets it apart: it's not just about finding job listings. It's about being found.
Recruiters and healthcare employers are actively scouting LinkedIn for PA talent. A polished, keyword-optimized profile can result in opportunities landing right in your inbox. Add in salary insights, company reviews, and the ability to network directly with hiring managers, and you've got a job search powerhouse.
Pro tip: If you haven't already, take an hour to carefully update your LinkedIn profile. Employers use it as a screening tool, and first impressions matter.
Why LinkedIn Earns the #1 Spot:
- 92,000+ PA jobs currently listed across the U.S.
- Powerful networking: connect directly with hiring managers, recruiters, and fellow PAs
- Recruiter visibility: a strong profile means jobs come to you
- Salary insights and company reviews built right in
- Advanced filters: search by location, company, specialty, experience level, remote/on-site, and date posted
- “Easy Apply” feature lets you apply quickly with your LinkedIn profile
- Excellent mobile app for iOS and Android
Watch Out For:
- Premium subscription ($39.99+/month) unlocks extra features like InMail and seeing who viewed your profile — helpful but not essential
- Can feel overwhelming with all its features; focus on the Jobs tab and your profile
Website: www.linkedin.com
2. Indeed
Indeed has been a workhorse for PA job searching for years, and it's still one of the most reliable places to look. It consistently has one of the largest databases of PA positions, and its search functionality is simple, fast, and effective.
What I love about Indeed is that it just works. Type in "physician assistant," add your location, and you'll get relevant results quickly. The filters have improved over the years — you can now sort by salary estimate, experience level, job type, and more. The salary comparison tool is a nice bonus, giving you a sense of what you should be earning in your area.
Indeed has also integrated with Glassdoor (they're now under the same parent company), so you'll start seeing company reviews and salary data woven into job listings — a huge plus when you're evaluating potential employers.
Why Indeed Is Still a Top Pick:
- Massive job database — one of the largest collections of PA listings anywhere
- Simple, effective search that gets you relevant results fast
- Salary estimates built into many listings
- Company reviews now integrated through the Glassdoor partnership
- Keyword job alerts that are easy to set up (and easy to turn off)
- Strong mobile app for iOS and Android
Watch Out For:
- The search term “physician assistant” can still pull in medical assistant and other non-PA jobs — use quote marks and filters to narrow results
- Resume tools are functional but not as polished as some competitors
Website: www.indeed.com
3. ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter remains one of my personal favorites for PA job searching, and for good reason. Their resume management system is still the best in the business, and the one-click apply feature makes it ridiculously easy to get your name in front of employers.
What really sets ZipRecruiter apart is how proactive it is. Once you upload your resume, their matching algorithm goes to work, sending your profile to relevant employers and delivering personalized job recommendations. During my last job search, I received a flood of recruiter contacts — sometimes too many, honestly — but the opportunities were real and the jobs were relevant.
They've continued to improve their AI-powered matching, and the platform now does a better job of distinguishing "physician assistant" from "medical assistant" in search results (though it's still not perfect).
Search PA Jobs on ZipRecruiter
Why ZipRecruiter Still Shines:
- 1,000+ PA positions with salaries ranging from $100K–$180K+
- Best-in-class resume center — upload once, apply everywhere
- One-click apply with your on-file resume and references
- AI-powered matching sends your profile directly to interested employers
- Recruiter outreach: expect employers to come to you
- Excellent mobile app for iOS and Android
Watch Out For:
- The “assistant” keyword issue persists — you may still see medical assistant jobs mixed in
- Recruiter emails can be overwhelming and sometimes outside your geographic preference; adjust your notification settings early
Website: www.ziprecruiter.com
4. Google for Jobs
Sometimes the best job search tool is the one you're already using. Google for Jobs isn't a job board per se — it's a powerful aggregator that pulls listings from Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and dozens of other sites into one clean, filterable view.
Just type "physician assistant jobs near me" into Google, and you'll see a dedicated jobs widget right at the top of your results. The relevancy is excellent — Google's algorithm is remarkably good at understanding what a "physician assistant" job actually is — and you can filter by location, date posted, job type, and employer.
The beauty of Google for Jobs is that it saves you from having to check ten different websites. It does the aggregating for you.
Why Google for Jobs Is a Must-Use:
- Aggregates listings from all major job boards in one place
- Highly relevant results — among the most accurate for PA-specific searches
- Location-aware: automatically shows jobs near you
- Email alerts for saved searches
- No account needed — just search and go
- No recruiter spam — you’re in control of what you click on
Watch Out For:
- No resume upload or profile features — you’ll still need to apply through the original job site
- Email alerts are basic (keyword-only)
The Best PA-Specific Job Boards
These platforms are built specifically for physician assistants (and often NPs), which means less clutter, more relevant results, and features tailored to our profession.
5. AAPA Career Central (PA JobSource)
The American Academy of Physician Associates' Career Central has come a long way since my last review. It's been rebuilt as an interactive, map-based job search experience that connects you with more PA employers than any other PA-specific platform.
The biggest advantage here is obvious: every single listing is a PA job. No sorting through medical assistant, CNA, or "Student Life Officer" postings. You can search by specialty (cardiology, dermatology, emergency medicine — you name it), practice type, and geographic location. They've also added a searchable salary and cost-of-living map powered by the AAPA Salary Report, which is incredibly useful for evaluating opportunities.
Plus, the PA Portfolio feature gives you a secure place to store your education records, licensing info, certifications, and career documents — all in one place.
Why AAPA Career Central Is Essential:
- 100% PA-specific — every listing is a physician assistant/associate position
- Interactive map-based search — find jobs visually by location
- Salary and cost-of-living data from the AAPA Salary Report
- PA Portfolio: store credentials, certifications, and career docs securely
- Search by specialty and practice type
- Job alerts and employer follow features
- Free to use (AAPA membership not required for basic access)
Watch Out For:
- The database, while improved, is still smaller than general platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn
- Location filtering could still use some refinement in some areas
Website: www.aapa.org/career-central
6. DocCafe
DocCafe has quietly grown into one of the best healthcare job platforms out there, and it deserves way more attention from PA job seekers. With over 10,000 physician assistant positions across 80+ specialties, it's one of the largest dedicated healthcare employment databases available — and it's completely free to use.
What I really like about DocCafe is the range. You'll find full-time, part-time, contract, and locum tenens positions in hospitals, physician offices, outpatient centers, and more. Create a profile, and subscribing employers can reach out to you directly. The specialty search is thorough, and the email alerts keep you in the loop without flooding your inbox.
If you're not already on DocCafe, you're missing out.
Why DocCafe Deserves Your Attention:
- 10,000+ PA positions and growing
- 80+ specialties to search across
- All job types: full-time, part-time, contract, and locum tenens
- Free, confidential profile — employers can find you
- Direct employer contact — no middleman
- Email alerts for new matching positions
Watch Out For:
- The site design could use a modern refresh, but the functionality is solid
- Some listings are recruiter-posted, so you may encounter some overlap with other sites
Website: www.doccafe.com
7. PAJobSite.com
PAJobSite has been dedicated exclusively to PA employment since 2009, and it's still a solid niche option. With over 108,000 candidates in their database and positions across all practice areas and specialties, it's a focused resource worth bookmarking.
The standout feature is the ability to search privately — you can browse positions without making your profile visible to employers, which is great if you're exploring options while currently employed. When you're ready to be discovered, flip that switch and let employers come to you.
Why PAJobSite Is Worth a Look:
- PA-specific since 2009 — focused exclusively on PA employment
- Privacy controls: search privately or make your profile visible
- Covers all practice areas and specialties, including locum tenens
- Company directory of hiring employers and recruiting firms
- Free to use
Watch Out For:
- The database is smaller than general platforms, so don’t rely on it exclusively
- The interface is functional but not the most modern
Website: www.pajobsite.com
The Best Platforms for Medical Professional Networking + Jobs
These platforms blend professional networking with job searching — and for healthcare professionals, that combination is incredibly powerful.
8. Doximity
Here's one that wasn't on my original list but absolutely belongs here now. Doximity is the largest professional medical network in the U.S., with over 3 million members — including two-thirds of all PAs and NPs and 85% of U.S. physicians.
Think of Doximity as LinkedIn specifically for healthcare. It combines professional networking, HIPAA-compliant communication tools, and a growing job board all in one platform. Their Talent Finder feature lets employers search for PAs by sub-specialty, position type, years of experience, location, and even schools attended. If you have a Doximity profile, recruiters and employers are actively searching for people like you.
The job board features opportunities across specialties — from urgent care and emergency medicine to surgical positions and travel roles. It's not just about finding jobs; it's about being visible to the people doing the hiring.
Why Doximity Is a Game-Changer:
- Two-thirds of all PAs and NPs are already on the platform (3M+ total members)
- Healthcare-specific networking: connect with colleagues, mentors, and employers
- Employer visibility: recruiters actively search Doximity for PA candidates
- Job board with positions across specialties and locations
- Compensation trends and insights
- HIPAA-compliant tools for professional communication
- Free to use
Watch Out For:
- The job board is still growing — it’s not as large as Indeed or LinkedIn yet
- Primarily focused on the medical community, so less useful for non-clinical PA roles
Website: www.doximity.com
Don’t Forget About Networking!
Word of Mouth Is Still King
As most of you know, word of mouth is probably the most effective job search tool out there. Studies consistently show that 70–80% of jobs are filled through networking. While all these websites are fantastic, never underestimate the power of genuine human connections. Here are some of the best avenues for networking your way into a PA position:
- Your PA school job board and alumni network — many programs maintain active job boards and alumni groups
- Facebook and social media groups — PA-specific groups can be goldmines for job leads
- LinkedIn connections — reach out to PAs working in specialties and locations you’re targeting
- Doximity — use it to connect with colleagues in your area
- Clinical rotations and preceptors — relationships built during rotations lead to more job offers than you’d think
- State PA society events and conferences — attend, meet people, and be genuinely interested in their work
- AAPA conference — the annual conference is a fantastic networking opportunity
As a student, you may be offered a job while on clinical rotations. Many of my PA school colleagues had jobs lined up before graduation. If you don’t, please don’t sweat it. Opportunities abound — especially in this job market.
The Best Platforms for Locum Tenens and Travel PA Jobs
Locum tenens and travel PA work has exploded in popularity, and for good reason. The flexibility, the pay ($75–$150/hour depending on specialty and location), and the adventure of working in different settings make it an incredibly attractive option — whether you're between jobs, supplementing your income, or making it your full-time gig.
9. Vivian Health
Vivian Health has become one of the premier platforms for travel and locum tenens PA positions. They track salary data across the country, offer detailed career guides by specialty, and make it easy to compare opportunities side-by-side.
Average travel PA salary through Vivian sits around $1,700/week, with staff PA positions averaging $54/hour. They cover in-demand specialties like cardiothoracic surgery, pediatric medicine, emergency medicine, and more. The platform also provides excellent career resources, including an employment forecast that tracks where the PA profession is heading.
Search PA Jobs on Vivian Health
Why Vivian Health Is Great for Travel/Locum PAs:
- Travel PA average: ~$1,700/week
- Staff PA average: ~$54/hour
- Detailed salary guides by specialty and location
- Employment forecast data to help you plan your career
- Side-by-side opportunity comparison
- Career guides for specific PA specialties
- Free to use
Watch Out For:
- Primarily focused on travel and locum roles — less useful if you’re only looking for permanent positions
Website: www.vivian.com
10. CompHealth
CompHealth is the nation's largest locum tenens staffing agency and one of the most trusted names in healthcare staffing. They currently have 500+ PA positions available, including full-time, locum tenens, travel, telemedicine, and remote opportunities.
What makes CompHealth stand out is the support. They handle malpractice insurance, travel logistics, housing, licensing, and credentialing. You focus on being a great PA; they handle the rest. If locum tenens interests you even slightly, CompHealth should be your first call.
Why CompHealth Is the Go-To for Locum Tenens:
- 500+ current PA positions across all specialties
- Nation’s largest locum tenens staffing agency
- Full support: malpractice insurance, travel, housing, licensing, and credentialing
- All work types: full-time, locum, travel, telemedicine, and remote
- Part-time options to supplement your permanent position
- You control your schedule — work when, where, and how often you want
Watch Out For:
- As a staffing agency, you’re working through a recruiter — some PAs prefer applying directly to employers
- Locum pay is great, but benefits (health insurance, retirement) may require more self-management
Website: www.comphealth.com
Bonus: Glassdoor — The Research Tool Every PA Job Seeker Needs
I want to give a special mention to Glassdoor, not because it's the best place to find PA jobs, but because it's the best place to research potential employers. Now fully integrated with Indeed under Recruit Holdings, Glassdoor gives you access to company reviews, salary reports, interview questions, and workplace culture insights — all from real employees.
Before you accept any job offer, do yourself a favor and look up the employer on Glassdoor. Read the reviews, check the salary data, and go into that interview armed with knowledge. It can be the difference between landing a dream job and walking into a nightmare.
Research Employers on Glassdoor
Telehealth and Remote PA Opportunities in 2026
This is a category that didn't even exist when I first wrote this post, but telehealth PA positions have absolutely taken off. As of early 2026, there are hundreds of remote and telemedicine PA positions available, with compensation often ranging from $65–$144/hour.
If you're interested in telehealth or remote PA work, here's where to look:
- Indeed — search "physician assistant telemedicine" for 40+ remote listings
- CompHealth — offers dedicated telemedicine PA opportunities
- AMN Healthcare — permanent and locum telehealth placements (amnhealthcare.com)
- ZipRecruiter — filter for remote/telehealth positions
- Vivian Health — includes telehealth in their travel/locum listings
Important note: For telehealth positions, you'll typically need to be licensed in the state where your patients are located. Multi-state licensure is increasingly preferred, and some employers are looking for PAs with licenses in multiple states. The NCCPA and your state PA licensing board can help you navigate this.
AI Tools to Supercharge Your PA Job Search
Here's something new for 2026 — artificial intelligence is changing how we search for and apply to jobs, and savvy PA job seekers are using it to their advantage.
How AI Can Help Your Job Search:
- Resume optimization: Tools like Rezi and Enhancv can help you tailor your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — the software that screens your application before a human ever sees it
- AI job matching: Platforms like iHireAdvancedPractitioners use AI to continuously learn your preferences and recommend relevant PA positions
- Cover letter assistance: Use AI to draft initial versions of cover letters, then personalize them with your own voice and specific details about why you're excited about each position
- Interview prep: AI tools can help you prepare for common PA interview questions and practice your responses
A word of caution: Recruiters are getting better at spotting AI-generated applications. Use these tools as a starting point, then add your personality and specific achievements. And always, always double-check the accuracy of anything AI produces. For more help with your resume, check out our PA resume and CV editing service.
Honorable Mentions
These platforms didn't crack the top 10 but are still worth knowing about:
- Barton Associates — excellent locum tenens staffing firm specializing in PA placements across 120+ specialties, with malpractice insurance, travel, and housing covered
- LocumTenens.com — the industry's largest locum tenens job board with new PA positions posted daily
- Weatherby Healthcare — personalized locum assignments with 30+ years of experience, includes paid travel and housing
- PracticeMatch (APMatch) — a national database with daily updates, career fairs, and free CV review services
- iHireAdvancedPractitioners — AI-powered job matching that gets smarter the more you use it
- LinkPAs — a medical recruiting firm owned and operated by a PA who understands the profession
- PayScale.com — a fantastic resource for PA salary comparisons
- Your state PA society job board — don't overlook your local state PA society's career center for region-specific opportunities
What About Monster, CareerBuilder, and Craigslist?
If you're wondering where these old standbys ended up — Monster and CareerBuilder merged in September 2024, but the story didn't end well. The combined company subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with their revenues having dropped dramatically. Their job board assets are being sold off to other companies. Even before the bankruptcy, these platforms were already poor choices for PA-specific job searches — cluttered with irrelevant results and thin PA job databases. Craigslist is even further behind. While it still has a healthcare jobs section, the relevancy for PA positions is extremely low. The lesson? The job search landscape has shifted dramatically, and the platforms on this list are where the real opportunities live.
My 2026 PA Job Search Strategy
If I were starting a PA job search today, here's exactly what I would do:
- Set up your profiles: Create polished profiles on LinkedIn, Doximity, and AAPA Career Central. These are your "always on" passive search tools — let employers come to you.
- Cast a wide net: Upload your resume to Indeed and ZipRecruiter and set up keyword alerts. These give you the highest volume of listings.
- Go PA-specific: Register on DocCafe and PAJobSite for PA-focused opportunities you might not find elsewhere.
- Aggregate with Google: Use Google for Jobs as your daily check-in to see what's new across all platforms.
- Explore locum tenens: If you're open to it, register with CompHealth or Vivian Health. Locum work offers incredible flexibility and often higher hourly pay.
- Research before you apply: Use Glassdoor to vet every employer before you spend time on an application.
- Network, network, network: Tell everyone you're looking. The best opportunities often come through people you already know.
- Optimize your materials: Use AI tools to make sure your resume passes ATS screening, then add your personal touch.
Need a professional eye on your resume or cover letter? We can help!
The PA job market in 2026 is one of the strongest we've ever seen. With 20% projected growth through 2034, expanding autonomy in over 20 states, and growing opportunities in telehealth and locum tenens, there has never been a better time to be a PA — or to become one.
Do you have a favorite PA job search tool that I missed? Have you landed a position using one of these platforms? Drop your experience in the comments section below — I'd love to hear your story, and I'll be sure to update this list with your suggestions!
View all posts in this series
- Use this Interview Hack to Get The Physician Assistant Job of Your Dreams!
- The Physician Assistant Job or PA School Interview – Email Etiquette
- The Physician Assistant Interview: Thank You and Follow-up (With Sample)
- Your Main Goal on Your Path to PA Shouldn’t be Immediate Success or Money, But to Learn as Much as Possible
- Use VisualCV to Create a Stunning Physician Assistant Resume
- The 10 Best Websites for Physician Assistant Job Search in 2026
- How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant Cover Letter
- The 4 Most Common Reasons PAs Quit Their Jobs
- 10 Best Cities for Physician Assistants in 2026 (Salary vs. Cost)
- Physician Assistant Salary 2026: Four Surprising Truths Revealed
- Here are 10 Reasons why PAs remain one of the top-ranked careers in America in 2026 (and beyond)
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SL: Reassess analysis?
Hi PALife! I’m reaching out to see whether there’s any future opportunity to update this blog post and/or include the date the analysis was conducted?
I manage one of the job boards listed within this blog and would love to share this link with others ideally on a mass scale, however- given that the blog isn’t dated, I’m not sure how accurate the information is in 2019.
I’d be more than happy to see if there’s opportunity for us to work together and re-analyze the information used to rank the job boards.
Thanks in advance!
Hi, Toks, thanks so much for your message.
This is a post that I update at least quarterly and it was just updated in January for 2019. I would welcome any and all collaboration so as to make this the most informative and up to date posting on the topic of PA job search. I’m sure we both wish to provide the best resources for PAs looking for the best job search resources. Feel free to message me through my contact form or respond here about potential collaboration.
I’ve also added a “last updated” comment below of the heading of the post and will make sure to modify this during future updates.
Warmly,
Stephen Pasquini PA-C
Hello from
Lower New York State
Currently doing UC
Enjoyed the listings