Physician Assistants Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for physician assistants in the U.S. is $135,880 ($65.33 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $135,880
- Mean annual wage
- $141,280
- Median hourly wage
- $65.33
- Employment
- 162,150
162,150 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $99,380 | $47.78 |
| 25th percentile | $120,670 | $58.02 |
| Median (50th) | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| 75th percentile | $163,980 | $78.84 |
| 90th percentile | $190,280 | $91.48 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 | 4,790 |
| California | $165,650 | 13,600 |
| Washington | $164,360 | 3,540 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 | 530 |
| New York | $160,880 | 19,140 |
| Oregon | $155,780 | 2,250 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 | 1,060 |
| Alaska | $150,700 | 700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 | 410 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 | 4,470 |
Lowest-paying states
- Alabama: $104,960 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $105,920 median annual wage
- Georgia: $115,390 median annual wage
- Tennessee: $118,240 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $118,430 median annual wage
About this occupation
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Typical tasks
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Master's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.5% |
| Some college, no degree | 1.8% |
| Associate's degree | 1.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 17.2% |
| Master's degree | 61.5% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 14.5% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Registered Nurses$97,550
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$64,400
- Pharmacy Technicians$45,750
- Physicians, All Other$265,930
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$62,930
- Nurse Practitioners$132,300
- Pharmacists$140,910
- Physical Therapists$102,760
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.