These days the economic recession is continuing to get worse. It is crucial to choose a career path with a high earning potential to be successful. The medical industry is one of the best career path to be involved in. In the medical field, job growth is significant and growing strong. Becoming a physician assistant is one of the best career choice to make. A physician assistant is a medical professional that examines and provides treatment to patients under a doctor’s supervision.
A physicians assistant has great income opportunity also. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career field is expected to increase up to 40% by 2018 opening up many opportunities for both graduates and experienced physician assistants. The average pay for a physician assistant in the United States currently sits around $65,000 per year. There are many factors that influence a physician assistant salary just like most jobs. How much clinical experience you have is the most determinant factor. For example, a newly graduated physician assistant can expect a physician assistant salary of $60,000 or less per year, while a seasoned physician assistant with ten years of experience can make well over $90,000 per year.
Specialization can affect your salary, as it involves acquiring new skills. Physician assistant specialized in the field of Cardiovascular, Emergency Medicine and Dermatology can earn around $100,000 per year. Specialties such as Endocrinology and Public Health are among the lowest paid of about $80,000 per year.
Your rate of pay is also affected by the state you live in. The top places for physician assistants to work are New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston. Extending out to more rural areas such as Kansas and Arkansas, you will notice that those areas pay lower on average. In the top paying cities, there is a higher cost of living and thus, the higher rate of pay and a larger job market. Rural areas have a smaller job market and are more competitive in landing a good job.
In addition, another factor that will affect your salary is the types of facility that you work in. Physician assistants working at private clinics tend to receive a higher salary than those working at a hospital. Hospitals average rate of pay is $90,000 per year and a specialty clinic such as a large medical practice is over $100,000 per year. How specialized is the doctor that you work with will influence your salary. A physician assistant working with a doctor specialized in trauma and emergency medicine earn the most at $80,000, while with a doctor specialized in obstetrics and pediatrics around $65,000 per year.
Knowing the factors that affect your physician assistant salary, you can use them to your advantage. Obtaining the most updated and recent certification for your degree as a physician assistant is the most simplest way to command a higher rate of pay. Your level of education is crucial in determining your salary potential, especially as an entry level physician assistant. Also, as you gain more experience, your salary will improve.