Have you seen the big news? For the third year in a row, Physician Assistants/Associates are the number two healthcare job in America in 2026 and the number five of the 100 best US jobs overall with an overall score of 7.0 out of 10. While we slipped a couple of spots from #3 to […]
Physician Assistant
10 Best Cities for Physician Assistants in 2026 (Salary vs. Cost)
Discover the top 10 cities where physician assistants thrive in 2026! With PA jobs ranked #2 in healthcare and #4 overall by U.S. News, these professionals enjoy median salaries of $130,020+ and 28% projected growth. Find out which cities offer the best balance of high salaries, job availability, and affordable housing—from Baltimore’s exceptional 53% salary-to-home price ratio to Hartford’s overall winning combination.
The Most Important Reports and Data on Physician Assistants (PAs)
Navigating the wealth of information on physician assistant trends can be daunting. In this blog post, we delve into the most recent reports from PAEA, NCCPA, and AAPA, providing a distilled summary of crucial data. From salary insights to educational trends, we cover the essential statistics and developments shaping the PA profession today. Whether you’re a current or aspiring PA, this post is your go-to resource for staying updated on the latest in the field. Bookmark this page for easy access to the most current and relevant PA information.
How Much Does it Cost to go to Physician Assistant (PA) School?
So you are considering PA school? Great, now how are you going to pay for it? With the average undergraduate education debt prior to PA school at $36,300 and the average anticipated debt load from PA school now ranging from $112,500 to $116,773, it’s time to ask the next logical question: How Much Does PA […]
How to Change PA Specialties: Pain Management, Family Practice, Dermatology
Watch the Virtual Shadowing REPLAY featuring Cassie McGee, PA-C, as she shares her journey from Pain Management and Family Practice to Dermatology. Gain valuable insights into the life of a practicing PA and explore the reasons behind her specialty switch. Don’t miss this engaging Live Q&A session, full of personal experiences and professional wisdom, perfect for aspiring PAs and healthcare enthusiasts.
I’ve Been a PA for 18 Years, and Still, Nobody Knows What I Do for a Living
After 18 years as a physician assistant, I still struggle to explain my profession to patients. Join my frustrating yet amusing journey to convey my medical role. I’ll share my failed attempts and proposed solutions, including ideas like getting a PA character on Grey’s Anatomy. Together we can reshape the landscape of healthcare, one understanding at a time.
Everything You Need to Know About Being a PA (and then some)
The ultimate guide to the PA profession – Navigate every aspect from certifying bodies like NCCPA and PAEA to data on applicants, programs, rotations, certification, salary, and the growth of PAs. Learn critical stats on PA schools, the PA job market, and new developments shaping the role of physician associates globally.
Who Gets Into PA School in 2025? Here’s What You Need to Know
Leslie Mean is a 25-year-old single white female who presents to the PA school admissions committee on her second attempt to get into PA school. She has a 3.6 overall GPA and a 3.5 science GPA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, had an SAT score of 1,200, and a GRE score of […]
Crafting the Perfect Letter of Recommendation for Your PA School Applicants
The Importance of Prioritizing Character Over Credentials As a preceptor and mentor for PA school applicants, I am frequently asked to write CASPA letters of recommendation. For years, when writing letters of recommendation, I had a specific process that I followed. First and foremost, I only agree to write letters for individuals whom I know […]
Meet the World’s Sexiest PA School Applicants
From GPA to GRE, PCE and HCE check out the latest PA school applicants you need to meet this application cycle. Learn what makes PA school ADCOMs swoon and want to “swipe right” on these PA school applicant CASPA profiles.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Physician Assistant/Associate?
How Long does it take to become a PA? It’s a common question and one that I am often asked, so let me try to answer it. Whether you are in undergrad, figuring out your career path, or looking into your second career, thinking about becoming a PA can be overwhelming. There are so many […]
How to Be a Better PA Part 1: Nurses, Lab Techs, and X-Ray Technicians
This is part one of a special three-part podcast series by Joe Gilboy PA-C on becoming a better PA. Part one is all about building amazing relationships with our nurses and ancillary staff. You may be thinking to yourself, “Hey Stephen, I thought this podcast was about the PANCE and PANRE.” “How does talking about […]
Podcast Episode 85: Ten Mixed Multiple Choice Questions
Welcome to episode 85 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE Board review questions from the SMARTYPANCE course content following the NCCPA™ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). Special from today’s episode: Download your copy of the Free Trello Smarty PANCE NCCPA™ Blueprint […]
How Much Money Do Physician Assistants (PAs) Make?
According to the latest NCCPA data, the average projected salary of certified PAs in 2024 is $120,204 per year or $57.74/hour, $10,017/month, and $2,313/week. The median projected annual salary of a PA is $115,000 per year. This is 218% of the US median salary. According to the NCCPA data, the average total income for Certified PAs has been increasing by 8.7%.
How to Answer Tricky PANCE and PANRE Test Questions Part 2: Podcast Episode 83
Welcome to episode 83 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast Join me as we welcome Joe Gilboy PA-C back again to cover best practices that make answering even the toughest PANCE and PANRE Board review questions (and EOR exam questions) a breeze! Below you will find interactive audio with clips covering the […]
The Australian Physician Assistant: The PA Model Around the World
This is part eight of a ten-part series by documentary filmmaker Adam Halbur on the PA model around the world. Today we take a captivating look into the life of Australia’s pioneering physician assistants. Holy Hell!: The Aussie PA’s determination If I learned anything about physician assistants from Australia, it is that the profession can […]
You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
The average person’s reading speed is about 250 words per minute. The CASPA personal statement allows a 5,000-character count (about 625 words). Therefore, a full-length statement would take an average of 2.5 minutes to read. If a PA program received 1,000 applications meeting or exceeding minimum screening qualifications, reading all of these personal statements would […]
How to Answer the Hardest PANCE and PANRE Test Questions: Podcast Episode 82
Welcome to episode 82 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast Join me as we welcome Joe Gilboy PA-C back again to cover best practices that make answering even the toughest PANCE and PANRE Board review questions (and EOR exam questions) a breeze! Below you will find interactive audio breaking down each […]
Podcast Episode 81: Internal Medicine EOR Cardiology Questions
Welcome to episode 81 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten internal medicine rotation EOR content blueprint questions from the Smarty PANCE physician assistant board and rotation review website. Special from today’s episode: Check out the new Smarty PANCE Internal Medicine Rotation (EOR) Review Course Download […]
7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
You know you’re in a war, right? PA school, once a bastion for rebels looking to buck the normal medical school model is now more competitive than ever. The CASPA application is full of standard metrics like GPA, GRE scores, prerequisite requirements, and college transcripts which make it hard to differentiate yourself from the pack. […]
How to Study for Your PANCE: Podcast Episode 79
If you can’t see the audio player click here to listen to the full episode. Podcast Episode 79: How to Study for Your PANCE Welcome to episode 79 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast. In this episode 35-year PA veteran and PANCE/PANRE board review expert Joe Gilboy PA-C shares his top […]
12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
In our book “How to write your PA School personal statement,” we interviewed twelve PA school administrators from twelve top-ranking PA programs across the country in search of answers to a simple question: What do PA school administrators want to see in your PA school essay? The results of this search, summarized in the first […]
Can the PA-CAT® Exam Predict PA School Success?
With over 1115,000 PAs actively working in the US and a projected increase of 37% through 2025, it is fair to say that the PA profession is growing. Along with a burgeoning clinician demand for PAs, there is an even more significant burden placed on PA academic programs to recognize those individuals best prepared for […]
The Indian Physician Assistant (PA): Past, Present, and Future
The Indian PA: Past, Present, and Future This is part eight of a nine-part series by documentary filmmaker Adam Halbur on the PA model around the world. Today we take a fascinating look into the real-life of India’s pioneering PAs. The Chicken Came from the Egg or Miles and Miles to Go before We Go […]
Podcast Episode 77: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast
Welcome to episode 77 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE Board review questions from the SMARTYPANCE course content following the NCCPA™ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). Special from today’s episode: Download your copy of the Free Trello Smarty PANCE NCCPA™ […]
South Africa’s Clinical Associate (Clin-A): The PA Model Around The World
This is part seven of a nine-part series by documentary filmmaker Adam Halbur on the PA model around the world. Today we take a fascinating look into the real-life of South Africa’s pioneering PA-like clinical associates. South Africa’s Clinical Associate (Clin-A) Starting with programs at Walter Sisulu University and the University of Pretoria (2008) and […]
Trials and Tribulations of the Liberian Physician Assistant
This is part five of a nine-part series by documentary filmmaker Adam Halbur on the PA model around the world. As God Would Have It When I visited in 2017, Liberia was celebrating 150 years since its founding by Christian American slaves in 1867. It is the only country in the world that has had […]
Podcast Episode 75: Ten FREE PANCE and PANRE Audio Board Review Questions
Welcome to episode 75 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE Board review questions from the SMARTYPANCE course content following the NCCPA™ content blueprint (download the FREE cheat sheet). This week we will be covering ten general board review questions based on the NCCPA PANCE and […]
Meet The PA Pioneers of Israel: The Israeli Physician Assistant
This is part four of a nine-part miniseries by documentary filmmaker Adam Halbur on the PA model around the world. The Test: PAs for Israel Israel, the only Middle East country other than Saudi Arabia to attempt a physician assistant program, graduated its first trial cadre in 2017, retrained emergency medical technicians to fill shortages […]
Why We Really Need PAs in the UK: The British Physician Associate
Welcome to part three of this nine-part miniseries by documentary filmmaker Adam Halbur on the PA model around the world. Growing the Physician Associate in the UK In the United Kingdom, PA stands for physician associate. “This is a moniker with a more exacting ring,” according to Jeannie Watkins, then clinical placement lead in the […]
