PAPhysician Assistant
PA
Career

Physician Assistant

By the numbers
Typical pay
$135,880 / yr
Education to start
Master's degree
Future demand
+20.4% by 2034
People in this job
162K
Figures shown for ·1 O*NET occupation
The work
Watch · day in the life
A day, hour by hour
07:30
Chart prep

Review today's patient roster and flag anyone with complex history.

08:00
Morning patients

See back-to-back patients — exam, history, diagnosis, treatment plan.

10:00
Test results

Interpret bloodwork and imaging; decide what needs action now.

10:30
Procedures

Suture a laceration, administer injections, cast a minor fracture.

11:30
Physician consult

Flag a tricky case to the supervising doctor — something doesn't add up.

13:00
Afternoon patients

More exams; counsel a patient who's nodding but clearly lost.

15:00
Urgent walk-in

Chest pain comes in — assess fast, rule out life-threatening cause.

16:00
Chart documentation

Update every patient record before the shift closes — no shortcuts.

17:00
Handoff

Brief the incoming provider on open cases and pending results.

Things you do
  • Examine patients, figure out what's wrong, and make a diagnosis.
  • Prescribe medications and build a treatment plan for each patient.
  • Order blood tests, X-rays, or MRIs and explain what the results mean.
  • Stitch up wounds, set fractures, and perform hands-on medical procedures.
  • Walk patients through their diagnosis so they actually understand it.
Decisions you’ll make
  • Is this something I can handle myself, or do I need to loop in the doctor now?
  • Does this patient's story add up, or am I missing something serious?
  • Is this symptom a minor issue, or a sign of something life-threatening?
  • Should I prescribe medication, or try a non-drug approach first?
  • Does this patient actually understand their treatment plan, or are they just nodding?
Education Pathways · how you get there
100 in 100 went the college route · 0 in 100 found another way in None, typically
Education mapped from O*NET:Physician Assistants · 100% related
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