Physician Assistants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Physician Assistants fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Physician Assistants earn a median salary of $133,260 per year, ranking in the top 4% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +20.4% job growth through 2034, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do physician assistants earn?

The median annual wage for physician assistants is $133,260. That puts physician assistants at #34 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is physician assistants a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for physician assistants is +20.4%, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 162K positions in 2024 to 195K in 2034, a net change of 33K. Very fast growth indicates significant talent shortages and unusually strong hiring momentum — often the most resilient outlook a teenager can plan toward.

What do physician assistants do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working physician assistants, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
2. 2.Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
3. 3.Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
4. 4.Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
5. 5.Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
6. 6.Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
7. 7.Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
8. 8.Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.

Top skills for physician assistants

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become physician assistant?

Becoming a physician assistant typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Family Medicine Physicians
  $238,380 median
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
  $236,350 median
• Dentists, All Other Specialists
  $225,770 median
• Nurse Anesthetists
  $223,210 median
• Pediatricians, General
  $210,130 median
• Dentists, General
  $172,790 median

Common questions parents ask about physician assistants