Hire Physician Assistants in Houston, Texas
Houston has 920 licensed physician assistants serving 2.3M residents — 40 per 100K, 13% below the national average. TX healthcare jobs growing 12%.
Houston has 7.2% of TX's physician assistants supply but 25.8% of its population. Expect ~49 day fill time. Offer competitive packages with flexible scheduling to stand out.
Physician Assistants Salary Breakdown
2026 projections — use for offer benchmarking
By Experience Level
| Level | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry (0-2 yrs) | $105,000 |
| Mid-Career (3-7 yrs) | $128,000 |
| Senior (8-15 yrs) | $150,000 |
| Expert (15+ yrs) | $170,000 |
By Work Setting
| Setting | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Hospital | $140,000 |
| Outpatient | $128,000 |
| Long-Term Care | $120,000 |
| Home Health | $125,000 |
Tip: To recruit mid-career physician assistants, target offers at $134,400+ to be competitive.
Workforce Supply Analysis
How Houston Compares to Other TX Cities
| City | Providers | Per 100K | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 920 | 40 | 2,300,000 |
| San Antonio | 600 | 40 | 1,500,000 |
| Dallas | 520 | 40 | 1,300,000 |
| Austin | 386 | 40 | 965,000 |
| Fort Worth | 368 | 40 | 920,000 |
| El Paso | 272 | 40 | 680,000 |
| Arlington | 158 | 40 | 395,000 |
| Corpus Christi | 130 | 40 | 325,000 |
Healthcare Workforce in Houston
Physician Assistants rank #13 of 19 specialties in Houston.
TX ranks #2 nationally for physician assistants with 12,800 statewide. Houston accounts for 7.2% of the state's supply.
Texas Regulatory & Compliance Quick Reference
Credentialing Timelines
| Hospital Privileging | 60-120 days |
| Insurance Paneling | 90-180 days |
| DEA Registration | 4-6 weeks |
| Malpractice Insurance | 1-2 weeks |
Plan for 60-120 days total onboarding time when making offers. Start credentialing before the candidate's notice period ends to minimize gap.
Retention & Turnover Intelligence
Top Exit Reasons
Top Retention Factors
Cost Impact: At 18.2% turnover, Houston could see ~167 physician assistants leave annually, costing an estimated $11,136,434 in replacement costs. Proactive retention saves 3-5x vs. reactive recruiting.
Physician Assistants Subspecialties & Titles
In-Demand Subspecialties
Common Job Titles
Boolean Search Terms
"physician assistant jobs" OR "PA positions" OR "PA-C jobs" OR "certified physician assistant"
Houston Physician Assistants Recruiting Market Overview
Houston has 920 licensed physician assistants serving a population of 2,300,000 — a ratio of 40 per 100K residents, which is 13% below the national average of 46 per 100K. Among TX cities, San Antonio leads with 40 per 100K. (Source: CMS NPPES)
The national median salary for physician assistants is $133,020 , ranging from $105,000 for entry-level to $170,000 for 15+ years experience. Hospital settings pay $140,000 on average, while outpatient roles average $128,000. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 are common for hard-to-fill positions (Source: BLS OOH).
Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, allowing multistate practice. NPs require physician collaboration agreements, which can affect recruitment timelines. Healthcare employment in TX is projected to grow 12%, significantly above the national average.
With annual turnover at 18.2% for this specialty, proactive recruiting and retention programs are critical. At current rates, approximately 167 physician assistants in Houston will change positions annually. Top retention factors include work-life balance (85%), competitive salary (82%), and supportive management (78%). Employers investing in these areas see 25-40% lower turnover.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hiring Physician Assistants in Houston
How many physician assistants are in Houston?
Houston has 920 NPI-registered physician assistants, or 40 per 100K residents — 13% below the national average. (Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry)
What should I pay physician assistants in Houston?
The national median is $133,020. Entry-level: $105,000, Senior: $150,000, Expert: $170,000. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 can help close competitive candidates. (Source: BLS 2024)
Is Texas a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes, Texas is a compact state. Nurses with a multistate license can practice in TX without additional licensure. The compact currently includes 42 member states.
How long does credentialing take in Texas?
Hospital privileging: 60-120 days. Insurance paneling: 90-180 days. DEA registration: 4-6 weeks. Start credentialing before the candidate's notice period ends to minimize onboarding gaps.
What is the turnover rate for physician assistants?
The average annual turnover rate is 18.2%. In Houston, that translates to ~167 position changes annually, costing an estimated $11,136,434 in replacement costs. Top exit reasons: burnout (35%), better pay (28%), career change (12%).
How does Houston compare to other TX cities?
Houston has 920 physician assistants, representing 7.2% of TX's total. San Antonio leads with 600 providers, followed by Dallas with 520.
What physician assistants subspecialties are in demand?
Top in-demand subspecialties include Medical PA, Surgical PA, Emergency Medicine PA, Orthopedic PA, Dermatology PA. These niche roles often command premium compensation and longer fill times.
What is the job market outlook for physician assistants?
Employment is projected to grow 12% in TX. With 18.2% annual turnover and aging population demand, recruiters should build proactive pipelines. Average time-to-fill is 49 days.
Hire Physician Assistants in Houston
“Healthcare workforce shortages continue to drive demand for qualified professionals across all specialties, making recruitment a critical priority for healthcare organizations.”— Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA National Health Workforce Analysis, 2024
Top Specializations
Access 1.75M+ Healthcare Workers
Access 1.75M+ Healthcare Workers
Get instant access to 0+ verified physician assistants in Houston with direct contact information