A physician assistant reads patient records.
Physician assistants do 80 percent of what doctors do, according to U.S. News and World Report. For example, physician assistants are able to conduct checkups, diagnose illnesses and prescribe drugs to patients. These workers practice medicine under a physician's supervision, but most of the time, you can find physician assistants working independently.
National Salary
According to the PayScale website, physician assistants in the United States earned $72,020 to $93,990 in November 2010.
Experience
PayScale lists the annual salary of physician assistants according to the years of experience. In November 2010, physician assistants with less than one year experience earned $64,073 to $77,297; one to four years, $68,004 to $82,477; five to nine years, $73,562 to $91,382; 10 to 19 years, $77,087 to $97,031; and 20 years or more, $76,365 to $100,779.
Industries
Offices of physicians employed the largest number of physician assistants with an average annual salary of $84,720, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. The employment services paid the highest average annual salary above all other industries to physician assistants, with $104,780.
Top-Paying Locations
Nevada paid the highest average annual salary above all other locations to physician assistants, with $103,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Metropolitan areas can span more than one state. The Chattanooga, Tennessee-Georgia metropolitan area was the top-paying spot with an annual mean wage of $142,220.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, national employment for physician assistants is expected to increase at a rate of 39 percent from 2008 through 2018. According to U.S. News and World Report, this is one of the fastest-growing occupations. The best opportunities will be found in inner-city and rural areas.
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