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Create CVIf you’re searching “physician assistant salary,” you’re not just looking for a number. You’re trying to understand earning potential, career trajectory, and whether this path offers long-term financial growth.
Here’s the reality: physician assistant (PA) salaries are strong, but highly dependent on specialization, negotiation, and positioning. Two PAs with identical experience can earn $105K vs $180K+ depending on how they navigate their career.
This guide breaks down how PA salaries actually work in today’s U.S. hiring market, combining ATS logic, recruiter behavior, and real compensation structures.
Current U.S. compensation ranges:
Entry-level PA: $95,000 – $115,000
Mid-career PA: $110,000 – $135,000
Experienced PA (8–12 years): $120,000 – $150,000
Specialized / high-demand roles: $140,000 – $180,000+
Median salary sits around $125,000–$135,000, but this number hides major variation based on specialty and setting.
Unlike pharmacists, PA salaries scale more dynamically. Employers pay based on revenue generation and clinical autonomy, not just tenure.
Specialty is the single most important factor in PA salary.
Emergency Medicine: $130,000 – $170,000
Dermatology: $140,000 – $180,000+
Orthopedic Surgery: $130,000 – $165,000
Cardiology: $135,000 – $170,000
Internal Medicine: $110,000 – $135,000
Family Medicine: $105,000 – $130,000
$115,000 – $145,000
Stable hours, structured environment
Less earning upside unless specialized
$120,000 – $180,000+
Bonus-heavy compensation models
Strong earning potential tied to productivity
Pediatrics: $100,000 – $125,000
Dermatology and surgical subspecialties pay more because they generate higher billable revenue per patient.
$120,000 – $165,000
Shift-based with overtime potential
$100,000 – $140,000
Growing but variable pay structures
Top-paying states:
California: $140,000 – $180,000
Washington: $135,000 – $165,000
New York: $130,000 – $160,000
Texas: $125,000 – $155,000
Lower-paying states:
Mississippi: $95,000 – $115,000
Arkansas: $95,000 – $115,000
States with high demand + physician shortages tend to offer better compensation packages.
Hourly PAs:
$60 – $90 per hour
Overtime eligible
More flexibility
Salary PAs:
Predictable income
Benefits included
Less variable compensation
Top earners often combine a salaried role with PRN or locum tenens work.
The biggest misconception: all PAs earn roughly the same.
They don’t.
High-revenue specialties (dermatology, surgery)
Productivity-based compensation (RVUs)
Private practice roles
Geographic demand
Negotiation skills
PAs who understand billing, coding, and revenue impact earn significantly more.
Relative Value Units (RVUs) determine how much revenue you generate.
Higher RVUs = higher bonuses
Common in specialty practices
Direct link between productivity and pay
Weak Model: Fixed $120K salary
Strong Model: $110K base + RVU bonus → total $160K+
Explanation: Productivity-based compensation rewards high-performing PAs instead of capping earnings.
Unlike physicians, PAs can hit a ceiling.
Early career: rapid growth
Mid-career: plateau around $130K–$150K
Limited role differentiation in general practice
Salary bands within hospital systems
Dermatology and surgery consistently outperform primary care.
Don’t accept flat salaries in high-output environments.
$80 – $120 per hour
Travel-based opportunities
High short-term income
Examples:
Aesthetic medicine
Pain management
Oncology
Specialization increases perceived value and reduces competition.
Most PAs write task-based resumes. That limits earning potential.
Patient volume handled
Revenue contribution
Clinical outcomes
Procedure experience
Assisted physicians with patient care and procedures.
Managed 25+ patients daily in a high-volume dermatology clinic, performing 15+ procedures per week and contributing to a 20% increase in clinic revenue.
Explanation: This signals productivity, scale, and financial impact, which directly ties to salary potential.
Applicant Tracking Systems filter resumes based on alignment.
Patient Care Management
Clinical Procedures
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Surgical Assistance
ATS evaluates context, not just keywords. If your resume lacks specialty alignment, you won’t be shortlisted for higher-paying roles.
The PA profession remains one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers.
Strong demand due to physician shortages
Expansion into specialty care
Increased autonomy in many states
Competition is increasing in saturated urban markets.
Most PAs under-negotiate.
Asking for RVU bonuses
Negotiating signing bonuses ($5K–$20K+)
Requesting CME allowances
Negotiating flexible schedules
Employers expect negotiation, especially in specialty practices.
Candidate Name: Sarah Mitchell, PA-C
Target Role: Dermatology Physician Assistant
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Professional Summary
Board-certified Physician Assistant with 7+ years of experience in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Proven ability to drive clinic revenue through high-volume patient care and advanced procedural expertise.
Core Competencies
Dermatologic Procedures
Aesthetic Treatments (Botox, Fillers)
Patient Diagnosis and Treatment
Revenue Optimization
EHR Systems (Epic, Athenahealth)
Professional Experience
Senior Dermatology PA – Beverly Hills Skin Institute
2020 – Present
Managed 30+ patients daily, performing 20+ cosmetic and medical procedures per week
Increased clinic revenue by 25% through expanded aesthetic service offerings
Built a loyal patient base with 90% retention rate
Physician Assistant – UCLA Health
2017 – 2020
Diagnosed and treated dermatologic conditions for 20+ patients daily
Assisted in surgical dermatology procedures
Education
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) – University of Southern California
Certifications
Professional Affiliations
Primary keywords:
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Secondary keywords:
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Long-tail keywords:
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Staying in low-paying specialties too long
Accepting fixed salaries without bonuses
Not tracking productivity metrics
Writing generic resumes
Avoiding negotiation
Physician assistant salary is not fixed. It’s performance-driven.
The difference between $110K and $180K+ comes down to:
Specialty selection
Compensation structure
Career positioning
Top PAs don’t just work harder. They position themselves in high-value environments.
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