Physician assistants continue to increase in number and so is their pay, hitting $140,000 on average as their ranks have grown to more than 200,000, according to new data from two groups.
The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) said total median compensation rose 4.5% to $140,000 compared to $134,000 in 2024. And more than 58% of PAs “received a bonus from their primary employer, with a median bonus amount of $6,000,” the AAPA report said.
The analysis is similar to a new report out last week from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) that also shows PA pay on the rise. NCCPA said the “mean income for PAs” increased to $134,010 in 2025 from $95,602 in 2013. Meanwhile, the PA profession grew 5.9% to 201,038 by the end of last year compared to 2024, NCCPA’s report said
“This year’s profile reinforces what we continue to see across the health care landscape that PAs are a growing, adaptable workforce meeting the evolving needs of patients and health systems,” said NCCPA president and chief executive Dawn Morton-Rias. “Their flexibility to practice across specialties and health care settings is a powerful strength that supports improved access to care throughout the country.”
The increasing numbers of PAs and the improving pay come amid a primary care shortage that is triggering states across the country to expand the scope of practice for healthcare professionals like PAs and nurse practitioners. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects the U.S. could see a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
Increasingly, states are allowing PAs to do more whether it be prescribing more medications and diagnosing certain illnesses to having more direct supervision of patients.
“As healthcare delivery continues to evolve and demand for high-quality, accessible care continues to grow, PAs are critical to improving access, strengthening care teams, and meeting patient needs in communities across the country,” AAPA President and Chair of the Board of Directors Todd Pickard said.
A physician assistant is nationally certified by NCCPA and must be licensed in the states where they practice. They have a three-year master’s degree, often from a program that runs about 27 months or three academic years, according to years and includes three years of healthcare training, according to the American Academy of Physician Associates. They work in doctor’s offices, hospitals, surgery centers and other locations and their work includes diagnosing illnesses, writing prescriptions and counseling patients on preventive care.
“Although the share of PAs in primary care has gradually declined as more have entered specialized disciplines, primary care remains the leading practice area at 21.4%, followed by surgery subspecialties at 18.3%,” Morton-Rias said in the NCCPA report.
