Physician Assistants, Physician Associates

Employers

Approximately 153,400 physician assistants are employed in the United States. PAs work in a variety of health care settings. They are employed by single physicians or group practices; others work at hospitals or for some type of government agency, with the Department of Veterans' Affairs being the largest government employer of PAs. They are also employed by clinics, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and prisons. Many health care providers in areas lacking quality medical care personnel, such as remote rural areas and the inner city, are hiring PAs to meet their needs.

Starting Out

Physician assistants must complete their formal training programs before entering the job market. Once they complete their studies, PA students can utilize the placement services of their schools to locate jobs. They may also seek employment at hospitals, clinics, medical offices, or other health care settings. Information about jobs with the federal government can be obtained by contacting the Office of Personnel Management's Web site, https://www.usajobs.gov.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants offers pre-PA student and PA student membership options. Members can access the organization's Career Central page (https://www.aapa.org/career-central) for comprehensive information and resources about the field. Note: Some of this information is free to all site visitors.