Physician Assistants
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Physician Assistants in the United States earn a median salary of $135,880 per year — about $65 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 163K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +20%.
AI & Automation Risk
Physician assistants perform a mix of high-level knowledge work and physical clinical tasks. While AI will significantly augment diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and administrative documentation, the role requires physical presence for examinations, surgical procedures, and hands-on treatments like stitching wounds, as well as complex interpersonal counseling that is difficult to automate.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $223,640 | Above avg (110.4) | $202,530 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $198,070 | Average (100.9) | $196,331 |
| Yuba City, CA | $183,460 | Above avg (104.2) | $176,010 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $150,300 | Below avg (85.7) | $175,342 |
| Springfield, MA | $161,770 | Below avg (96.1) | $168,403 |
| Merced, CA | $164,080 | Average (98.3) | $166,960 |
| Visalia, CA | $166,510 | Average (99.8) | $166,802 |
| Vallejo, CA | $179,520 | Above avg (108.5) | $165,488 |
| Midland, TX | $158,200 | Below avg (95.8) | $165,165 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $162,330 | Average (98.4) | $165,052 |
| El Centro, CA | $156,730 | Below avg (95.2) | $164,677 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $161,980 | Average (98.5) | $164,415 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $141,080 | Below avg (86.1) | $163,898 |
| Grand Island, NE | $141,590 | Below avg (86.7) | $163,391 |
| Farmington, NM | $142,890 | Below avg (87.7) | $162,917 |