Top Five (5) Best Jobs in America | Top 5 High Paying Jobs of 2021

1. Physician Assistant 

Overview

Overall Score 8.3 / 10

MEDIAN SALARY

$112,260

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0.7%

NUMBER OF JOBS

39,300

What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, assist in surgeries, perform procedures and guide patients. Their work is very similar to that of a general internist or doctor, but in most states, PAs must collaborate with a licensed physician or surgeon to practice.

Jeffrey Katz, former president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, says, "I diagnose and treat patients, illnesses and diseases and counsel them on their path to wellness." 

Often, the physician or surgeon supervision is more like collaboration, but there are certain archaic regulations that make life for physician assistants – and their patients – difficult. "To give a real-life example of these arbitrary regulations, in my practice, I can write a patient a prescription for morphine," Katz explains. "However by law, I cannot prescribe my diabetic patients diabetic shoes. Often, the stress comes in when PAs are not able to practice to the full extent of their training, education and ability." 

But the profession is filled with rewards that come from helping and treating patients. A 2015 AAPA study found that more than 96 percent would recommend their physician assistant career to others. Katz has worked in the same family practice in Taylorsville, North Carolina, for more than 20 years and has seen generations of families. "It is really cool to see the children of children. … I don't think there's any better gift," he says. 

Physician assistants are expected to continue to be an important part of providing health care services, as they can be trained more quickly than physicians but can provide some of the same services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 31.3 percent employment growth for physician assistants between 2019 and 2029. In that period, an estimated 39,300 jobs should open up.

How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make?

Physician Assistants made a median salary of $112,260 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $130,530 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $92,800.

What is the Outlook for Physician Assistants?

The BLS projects the physician assistant field will grow 31% between 2019 and 2029, with 39,300 jobs added by that time. This is compared with an estimated 10% growth for those in the health diagnosing and treating practitioner positions.

Best-Paying Cities for Physician Assistants

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the physician assistant profession are Salinas, Leominster, Waterbury, Danbury, and New Bern.

Salinas, California

$161,370

Leominster, Massachusetts

$156,250

Waterbury, Connecticut

$154,550

Danbury, Connecticut

$147,500

New Bern, North Carolina

$146,880

Best-Paying States for Physician Assistants

The states and districts that pay Physician Assistants the highest mean salary are Connecticut ($137,060), Washington ($129,520), New Jersey ($129,440), Alaska ($128,530), and California ($127,520).

Connecticut

$137,060

Washington

$129,520

New Jersey

$129,440

Alaska

$128,530

California

$127,520

What is the Physician Assistant Salary by Place of Employment?

In addition to region and education, factors such as specialty, industry and employer have an effect on a physician assistant's salary. The top-paying places of employment with the highest average annual salaries for this career are scientific research and development services ($125,410); personal care services ($125,280); outpatient care centers ($121,320); individual and family services ($119,110); and employment services ($117,550). The majority of physician assistants (54%) work in physicians’ offices. Most physician assistants work full time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the average salary range for physician assistants?
A: The lowest-paid 10% of physician assistants earned $72,720 in 2019, the median salary was $112,260 and the highest-paid 10% brought in $157,120.

Q: What is the average hourly wage for physician assistants?
A: The average hourly wage was $54.04 in 2019.

Average Physician Assistant Pay vs. Other Best Jobs

Physician Assistants earned an average salary of $112,410 in 2019. Comparable jobs earned the following average salary in 2019: Physicians made $203,450, Nurse Anesthetists made $181,040, Nurse Practitioners made $111,840, and Registered Nurses made $77,460.

Job Satisfaction

Average Americans work well into their 60s, so workers might as well have a job that's enjoyable and a career that's fulfilling. A job with a low stress level, good work-life balance and solid prospects to improve, get promoted and earn a higher salary would make many employees happy. Here's how Physician Assistants job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.

Upward Mobility

Opportunities for advancements and salary

Average

Stress Level

Work environment and complexities of the job's responsibilities

Above Average

Flexibility

Alternative working schedule and work life balance

Above Average

2. Software Developer Read More

3. Nurse Practitioner Read More

4. Medical and Health

Services Manager Read More

5. Physician Read More