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We are still going through tough times with the economic recession. It is crucial to choose a career path with a high earning potential to be successful. One of the best industry for employment is health care. In the medical field, job growth is significant and growing strong. Physician assistant is one of the best career to be involved in. A physician assistant is a health care professional that practice medicine with supervision of a doctor.
As a physician assistant, you can expect a great income opportunity. 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. In the United States, the mean physician assistant salary is at $65,000 per year. Some physician assistants earn more, while others earn less than average as there are many factors that will affect your physician assistant salary. The first thing is how much experience you have. An entry level physician assistant can expect a physician assistant salary of $60,000 or less per year and in contrast, a seasoned physician assistant can make a whooping $90,000 or more per year.
Specialization can affect your salary, as it involves acquiring new skills. The top paying specialties are Cardiovascular, Emergency Medicine and Dermatology which all round out to about $100,000 per year. Physician assistants specialized in the field of Endocrinology and Public Health are some of the lowest paid with an average salary of around $80,000 per year.
The state you live in also determines your rate of pay. The top places for physician assistants to work are New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston. Rural areas of the United States such as Kansas and Arkansas tend to pay lower due to fewer commercialization. Areas with a higher cost of living will have a higher rate of pay and more jobs available. The job market in the rural areas is much smaller and therefore, the competition is stiffer in getting a good job.
Also, your salary can vary depending on whether you work at a hospital or private clinic. Physician assistants working at private clinics tend to receive a higher salary than those working at a hospital. For example, the average salary for those working in hospitals is around $90,000 per year, while for those working in specialty clinics is over $100,000 per year. The specialization of the doctor that you work with will also affect 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. You can command a higher rate of pay simply by having the most recent and updated certifications for your physician assistant degree. 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.
For more information on how to increase your physician assistant salary, be sure to check out: Physician Assistant Salary
