27.Jan.2012 at 27 | Daniella Smith
Physician Assistant Salary – At A Glance
Deciding on what field to go into after college can be a scary task. There are so many different things you need to take into consideration. Things like, skill set, hours, salary and so on. Did you know that one of the best and fastest growing career opportunities right now is that of a physician assistant (PA)? For those who enjoy helping people and working in a fast paced atmosphere with structured hours, then becoming a physician assistant could be ideal for you.
There are pay differences depending on the particular state you work in, so the starting physician assistant salary range is $64,000 to $77,000. Don’t be too disappointed. As with most professions, you will make more as your gain more clinical experience.
Although physician assistants work under the care of the doctor, most of the time they work independently. In 48 states, they are even allowed to prescribe some drugs for patients. Some of the tasks that they do includes routine check ups and patient diagnosis and treatment. This is a fantastic career path for those who enjoy people and value helping them. While the title might have you believing that you will be glued to the hip of a licensed physician, that is not the case. Truth is that you will be working independently of the doctor most of the time.
Another reason to become a physician assistant is for job security. One of the few industries that is actually growing is the medical field despite the economic recession. For example, there are more enrolments to nursing programs than ever before and more students are going to medical school. We will always need health care professionals no matter what the state of the economy is. This includes physician assistants.
The odds are in your favor at landing a job as the job prospect is high if you choose to become a physician assistant. Job opportunities are great at doctors offices and hospitals as they employ many physician assistants. Your future is looking good in terms of job opportunities.
As we mentioned earlier, the starting pay range for a physician assistant salary is only just the beginning. With years of clinical experience, you can even earn over $100,000 yearly. Certain states are shown to be on the higher end of the pay scale, states such as Maine, New York, West Virgina, Alaska and North Dakota. You can expect a mean salary of $77,000 to $92,000 if you are an experienced physician assistant working in these states.
The experience can be surreal and an absolute treat for some people, as they are working alongside medical professionals in a fast paced environment. One of the best feeling working as a physician assistant is the unparallel sense of accomplishment you will feel as you are helping patients and watching them recover.
Working with sick or ailing patients and providing them with support and help can be one of the most euphoric feelings in the world. You should become a physician assistant if you are a people’s person and enjoy helping others.
For more information about the physician assistant salary, please visit: PhysicianAssistantSalary.co
