What Is the Employment Outlook for a Physician Assistant Career?
The employment outlook for a physician assistant career is excellent. As the healthcare industry is growing and more people will need services, facilities hire these professionals to reduce costs. Read on to learn more about the job growth and salary expectations for this career. Schools offering Allied Health degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Employment Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), anticipates that the growth in physician assistant positions will be approximately 38% in the decade 2012-2022. This growth is much faster than other occupations are experiencing over that time. As of 2012, the BLS estimated that there were 86,700 of these professionals employed. An increase of 33,300 positions is expected over the decade, which will result in 120,000 employed by 2022. As a result, job prospects should be excellent.
Important Facts About This Occupation
| Entry-Level Education | Master's degree |
| Similar Occupations | Audiologist, EMT, paramedic, occupational therapist |
| Licensing | Required in all states |
| Key Skills | Problem-solving and communication skills; empathy and emotional stability; attention to detail |
Factors Influencing Job Growth
The employment of physician assistants is anticipated to increase because the healthcare industry is trying to save money. Employing these workers is cost effective, since they can do many of the same duties as physicians. In fact, they can help by taking over many of the routine procedures and duties now performed by a physician. Due to the expansion of state laws governing physician assistants, these professionals can now provide more physician-level services, including writing prescriptions in most states.
The BLS notes that another factor driving this strong growth is the aging population and its need for healthcare over the coming years. As more people are being diagnosed with chronic diseases, there will be an increased need for preventive care and treatments. In addition, health insurance reform will allow more people to get healthcare, and physician assistants will be needed to provide services. The best opportunities are anticipated to be in inner city and rural clinics where many physicians choose not to practice.
Salary Information
According to the BLS, physician assistants earned an average wage of $97,280 as of May 2014. Most professionals earned between $64,100 and $134,720. Offices of physicians employed the highest number of these professionals and paid an average wage of $97,270. Average earnings were $98,830 for general medical and surgical hospitals and $101,600 for outpatient care centers. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services and home healthcare services paid the highest average wages of $136,340 and $116,220 respectively.
Employment Opportunities
Finding a career as a physician assistant doesn't necessarily mean you'll be working at a clinic in some long-forgotten rural town. You could teach at a university, provide healthcare to prisoners or work in a hospital, according to the BLS. Working in surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, neonatology and other specialties can be realized by earning certification, according to the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA, www.paeaonline.org). More certifications may also lead to more job opportunities and a higher salary.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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