Physician Assistant Salary Guide 2025: PA Compensation by Specialty, State, and Setting
Physician assistant salaries in 2025 range from $100,000 to $140,000 annually, with significant variation based on specialty, geographic location, practice setting, and years of experience. As PAs continue to play an expanding role in healthcare delivery, understanding current compensation trends is essential for healthcare organizations looking to recruit and retain top PA talent.
National PA Salary Overview
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and physician assistant industry surveys, the median PA salary in 2025 is approximately $121,000, with the following distribution by experience level:
- Entry-Level PAs (0-2 years): $95,000 - $110,000
- Mid-Career PAs (3-5 years): $110,000 - $125,000
- Experienced PAs (6-10 years): $120,000 - $135,000
- Senior/Specialty PAs (10+ years): $130,000 - $150,000+
When recruiting physician assistants for your healthcare organization, understanding specialty-specific and regional compensation benchmarks helps create competitive offers that attract qualified candidates in today's competitive PA job market.
PA Salary by Specialty
Specialty choice dramatically impacts physician assistant compensation, with surgical and high-acuity specialties commanding premium salaries:
Top 10 Highest-Paying PA Specialties
1. Surgical Physician Assistant
Average Salary: $130,000 - $150,000
Surgical PAs perform pre-operative assessments, first-assist during surgeries, and provide post-operative care:
Surgical Specialty Breakdown:
- Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery PA: $135,000 - $160,000
- Neurosurgery PA: $135,000 - $155,000
- Orthopedic Surgery PA: $130,000 - $150,000
- General Surgery PA: $125,000 - $145,000
- Plastic Surgery PA: $125,000 - $145,000
Premium Pay Drivers: Complex procedures, on-call requirements, operating room expertise, high case volumes
2. Emergency Medicine PA
Average Salary: $125,000 - $145,000
Emergency department PAs manage acute and emergent conditions across all patient populations:
EM PA Considerations:
- High patient volumes and acuity
- Shift work (days, evenings, nights, weekends)
- Shift differentials add $5K-$15K annually
- Trauma center designation affects compensation
- Fast-paced, autonomous decision-making environment
Why High Pay: Critical thinking demands, shift work, high-stress environment, broad clinical knowledge requirements
3. Critical Care/ICU PA
Average Salary: $125,000 - $145,000
Intensive care PAs manage ventilated patients, perform procedures, and provide 24/7 critical care:
ICU Settings:
- Medical ICU (MICU): $120,000 - $140,000
- Surgical ICU (SICU): $125,000 - $145,000
- Cardiac ICU (CICU): $125,000 - $145,000
- Neuro ICU: $125,000 - $145,000
Premium Factors: Shift work, complex patients, procedures (central lines, arterial lines, intubations), on-call responsibilities
4. Dermatology PA
Average Salary: $120,000 - $140,000
Dermatology PAs perform skin exams, biopsies, cosmetic procedures, and medical dermatology management:
Practice Types:
- Medical dermatology: $115,000 - $135,000
- Cosmetic dermatology: $120,000 - $145,000
- Surgical dermatology (Mohs): $125,000 - $145,000
Benefits: Predictable hours, minimal call, outpatient setting, procedural skills, high patient satisfaction
5. Cardiology PA
Average Salary: $120,000 - $135,000
Cardiology PAs work in outpatient clinics, cardiac cath labs, heart failure clinics, and inpatient settings:
Cardiology Roles:
- Interventional cardiology: $125,000 - $140,000
- Electrophysiology: $120,000 - $135,000
- Heart failure/transplant: $120,000 - $135,000
- General cardiology: $115,000 - $130,000
6. Orthopedic Surgery PA
Average Salary: $120,000 - $140,000
Orthopedic PAs assist in surgeries, manage fracture care, perform joint injections, and provide pre/post-op care:
Subspecialties:
- Sports medicine: $120,000 - $140,000
- Spine surgery: $125,000 - $145,000
- Joint replacement: $120,000 - $140,000
- Trauma orthopedics: $125,000 - $145,000
7. Hospitalist PA
Average Salary: $115,000 - $130,000
Hospital medicine PAs admit, manage, and discharge medical inpatients:
Practice Models:
- Academic medical centers: $110,000 - $125,000
- Community hospitals: $115,000 - $130,000
- Large hospital systems: $115,000 - $130,000
Schedule: 7-on/7-off shifts common, day and night options, predictable scheduling
8. Urology PA
Average Salary: $115,000 - $130,000
Urology PAs perform cystoscopies, vasectomies, clinic procedures, and assist in urological surgeries.
9. Gastroenterology PA
Average Salary: $115,000 - $130,000
GI PAs perform endoscopies, colonoscopies, manage GI conditions, and provide procedural care.
10. Family Medicine/Primary Care PA
Average Salary: $105,000 - $120,000
Primary care PAs provide comprehensive outpatient care, chronic disease management, and preventive services:
Settings:
- Private family medicine practice: $105,000 - $120,000
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): $100,000 - $115,000 (+ loan forgiveness)
- Corporate primary care (CVS MinuteClinic, etc.): $105,000 - $120,000
- Rural health clinics: $110,000 - $125,000 (+ incentives)
Benefits: Predictable hours, work-life balance, longitudinal patient relationships, broad clinical variety
Moderate-Paying Specialties
Internal Medicine PA: $110,000 - $125,000 Urgent Care PA: $110,000 - $125,000 Psychiatry PA: $110,000 - $125,000 Oncology PA: $115,000 - $130,000 Neurology PA: $115,000 - $128,000 Rheumatology PA: $110,000 - $125,000 Pediatrics PA: $105,000 - $120,000
PA Salary by State
Geographic location creates substantial salary variation:
Top 15 Highest-Paying States for PAs
-
Connecticut: $135,000 - $150,000 average
- High cost of living, strong healthcare systems
- New Haven, Hartford metros
-
California: $130,000 - $145,000 average
- San Francisco Bay Area: $140,000 - $160,000
- Los Angeles metro: $135,000 - $150,000
- San Diego: $130,000 - $145,000
-
Alaska: $130,000 - $145,000 average
- Remote location premiums
- Limited PA workforce
- Relocation incentives
-
New Jersey: $125,000 - $140,000 average
- Proximity to NYC and Philadelphia
- High density of health systems
-
Washington: $125,000 - $140,000 average
- Seattle metro: $130,000 - $145,000
- Strong scope of practice laws
-
Rhode Island: $125,000 - $135,000 average
-
Nevada: $120,000 - $135,000 average
- Las Vegas and Reno metros
- No state income tax
-
Oregon: $120,000 - $135,000 average
- Portland metro: $125,000 - $140,000
-
New York: $120,000 - $135,000 average
- NYC metro: $125,000 - $145,000
- Upstate: $110,000 - $125,000
-
Massachusetts: $120,000 - $135,000 average
- Boston metro: $125,000 - $140,000
- Academic medical centers
-
Texas: $118,000 - $135,000 average
- No state income tax benefit
- Major metros: Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio
-
Arizona: $115,000 - $130,000 average
- Phoenix metro: $120,000 - $135,000
-
Colorado: $115,000 - $130,000 average
- Denver metro: $120,000 - $135,000
-
Minnesota: $115,000 - $130,000 average
- Strong health systems (Mayo Clinic)
-
North Carolina: $110,000 - $125,000 average
- Growing healthcare market
Regional Salary Patterns
West Coast: Highest PA salaries, driven by cost of living and favorable scope of practice laws
Northeast: Competitive compensation, especially in major metros with academic medical centers
Midwest: Moderate salaries ($105,000 - $125,000 average), balanced by lower cost of living
South: Generally moderate salaries ($105,000 - $125,000), but Texas, Florida, and North Carolina markets growing
Rural Areas: Often offer $10K-$20K premiums plus loan forgiveness and relocation assistance to address workforce shortages
Recruiting Physician Assistants: Strategies for Healthcare Organizations
To successfully recruit PAs in competitive markets:
1. Offer Specialty-Competitive Compensation
Research specialty-specific salary benchmarks. Surgical, emergency, and dermatology PAs require premium compensation reflecting market demand and skill requirements.
2. Emphasize Total Compensation Package
Highlight:
- Sign-on bonuses for hard-to-fill specialties
- Student loan repayment assistance
- Generous CME allowances and paid CME time
- Career advancement opportunities
- Mentorship and collaborative physician relationships
- Scope of practice and autonomy
3. Provide Professional Growth Opportunities
PAs value:
- Specialty training and certification support
- Procedural skills development
- Leadership pathways (lead PA, department roles)
- Teaching and precepting opportunities
- Research participation in academic settings
4. Flexible Scheduling Options
Offer various schedule models:
- 4x10 or 3x12 shifts
- Weekend programs with premiums
- Part-time opportunities
- Shift flexibility for work-life balance
5. Collaborative Practice Environment
PAs seek:
- Supportive physician collaboration
- Team-based care models
- Clear communication and consultation pathways
- Mutual respect and professional recognition
- Appropriate scope of practice utilization
Find Physician Assistants to Recruit
Looking to hire physician assistants for your healthcare organization? HealthTal provides access to thousands of licensed PAs across all specialties and practice settings.
Browse our database of physician assistants:
- All specialties (surgical, emergency, primary care, dermatology, etc.)
- Search by state and city
- Licensed PAs with active certifications
- Years of experience and specialty training
- Direct contact information for recruiting outreach
Conclusion
Physician assistant salaries in 2025 reflect strong market demand and the expanding role of PAs in healthcare delivery. To successfully recruit physician assistants:
- Offer specialty-competitive compensation - Surgical and emergency specialties command premium salaries
- Provide comprehensive benefits - Sign-on bonuses, loan repayment, and CME support matter
- Create collaborative practice environments - Physician relationships and professional respect attract PAs
- Support professional growth - Career advancement and specialty development opportunities
- Emphasize work-life balance - Schedule flexibility and realistic expectations improve recruitment and retention
Understanding physician assistant compensation trends across specialties, states, and practice settings enables healthcare organizations to create competitive offers that attract and retain exceptional PA talent.
Salary data compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) salary report, state employment data, and HealthTal recruiting insights. Figures represent 2025 market rates.
