How Much do PAs Make? Physician Assistant Salary and Compensation

2018 PA Salary and Compensation

How much money does a physician assistant make?

*Know your worth by downloading the latest AAPA Salary and Compensation Report.

In 2018, the median annual salary for PAs working full-time in the United States is $102,000 - $106,873 per year.

PAs who receive an hourly wage, rather than an annual salary, earn an average of $60.00 per hour.

PAs working in emergency medicine and surgical subspecialties continue to make the most money. While PAs in primary care are among the lowest paid in our profession.

Most (79.4%) of PAs are paid an annual (versus an hourly) salary. PAs who work in emergency medicine, urgent care, or are independent contractors are more likely to receive an hourly wage.

In addition to their base salary, half of full-time clinically practicing PAs receive a bonus of $6,000 or more with the average bonus being $6,118. Sadly, the average bonus for a female PA is $3,000 less than their male counterpart.

PA salaries and the buying power of those salaries vary significantly by region. While PAs in California have the highest median salary of $118,000, PAs in Kentucky, Iowa, and Mississippi have some of the highest cost-adjusted median wages in the nation.

Physician Assistant Earnings by Part-time and Full-time Status

Earnings	10th percentile	25th percentile	50th percentile	75th percentile	90th percentile
Part Time
Base Salary	$45,000	$60,000	$78,000	$95,000	$112,000
Base Hourly	$45	$50	$55	$65	$75
Bonus	$600	$1,000	$3,000	$10,000	$21,000
Hours Worked	16	20	24	30	32
Full Time
Base Salary	$83,000	$90,000	$102,000	$117,000	$134,000
Base Hourly	$45	$51	$60	$68	$80
Bonus	$100	$2,500	$6,000	$14,000	$30,000
Hours Worked	35	40	40	50	55

Know Your Worth

To get the latest, most up-to-date physician assistant salary data and to make sure you negotiate the best salary for your region grab your copy of the latest AAPA Salary and Compensation Report.

Included in the AAPA annual report are:

Median Base Salary and Bonus From Primary Employer by Work Setting and Years of Experience
The proportion of Professional Expenses Paid such as DEA, NCCPA fees, AAPA membership, and CME expenses
Insurance Benefits Paid for by Primary Employer
Retirement Benefits Provided by Primary Employer
Paid Days Off
PA Call Status
Hours per Month PAs Took Call
PA Participation in Profit Sharing Plans
Mode of Profit Sharing
Amount of Additional Forms of Compensation
PA Compensation by Wage Type (annual, hourly, and productivity pay)
Median PA Salary By Region (west, northwest, south, and Midwest)
Median Base Salary From Primary Employer by Primary Work Setting
Median Base Salary From Primary Employer by Employer Type
Median Base Salary From Primary Employer by Major Specialty Area
Career Changes by PAs

Also included in the report is a cost adjusted median salary by state. Using cost-of-living data, you can determine not only your adjusted cost-of-living salary but you can use this data to calculate the salary you will need to maintain the same standard of living in a different location.

It's an invaluable resource and it's 100% FREE to AAPA fellow, student, and retired members. Grab your copy of the latest AAPA Salary and Compensation Report today!