A physician assistant has a similar role to a doctor the main difference is they do not hold the “Dr” title. College Board, a not for profit organization that links students to different educational opportunities states that they carry out the same duties as a doctor. In most states, they are able to prescribe certain drugs to patients as some prescriptions can only be made under the care of a doctor.
Becoming a physician assistant is a challenging process. They must complete an accredited program as well as meet a number of educational requirements. In the United States, there are currently 142 accredited programs most of which are offered as masters programs. Better career opportunities and higher salary can be expected for those who attain a master’s degree. In order to locate a program in your local area, it is best to contact the Accredited Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Once you have completed a program, you will need to apply for a state license. As tedious as it may sound, it is compulsory to attain a license in all states You will need to take a test to become licensed; you can do this through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Entrance level physician assistant can expect an average salary between $64000 to $77000, referenced from PayScale.com.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median annual physician assistant salary is between $56000 and $115000. A physician assistant with a limited amount of experience, such as those coming in at entry level will earn less than $56000, those who earn more than $115000 are in the top 10 percent of earners, and they would have had many years experience.
If you are an entry level assistant, it is advised that you apply for a position in an industry that hires large numbers of physician assistants. There are numerous job opportunities at physician offices as they often employ many assistants and in addition offer great pay of around $85000. You can expect a salary of approximately $84500 at surgical and general medical hospitals.
Depending on which industry to work at, you can earn a higher than average salary even if you are an entry level physician assistant. Your salary will be on the higher end of the scale whether your starting salary is higher or lower on the line. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, if you are employed within the employment services industry you can expect a high end salary of $105,000. The mental health and substance abuse industry offers a salary of $103500, and outpatient care centers offer a salary of $87000.
As physician assistant salary vary state by state, as an entry level physician assistant you may want to consider relocating to one of the higher paying states to earn a higher salary. In Maine, entry level physician assistants can expect the highest salary of around $86000. Other states with higher annual salaries include Alaska at $81000, and West Virginia at $77500.
To learn more about how you can earn a great physician assistant salary as an entry level assistant, please visit: Physician Assistant Salary