Physician Assistants in Florida
Want to work as a Physician Assistants in Florida? Here’s what you need to know. Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants. Excludes “Registered Nurses” (29-1141), “Nurse Anesthetists” (29-1151), “Nurse Midwives” (29-1161), “Nurse Practitioners” (29-1171), “Emergency Medical Technicians” (29-2042), “Paramedics” (29-2043), “Surgical Assistants” (29-9093), and “Medical Assistants” (31-9092).
What do Physician Assistants Make in Florida?
The physician assistants working in Florida, the median annual wage is $127,200 per year (or roughly $61.15/hour).Earnings range from $83,990 at the 10th percentile to $175,080 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| 25th percentile | $100,830 | $48.48 |
| Median (50th) | $127,200 | $61.15 |
| 75th percentile | $155,510 | $74.76 |
| 90th percentile | $175,080 | $84.18 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Florida relative to the national average — is 1.07.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, physician assistants earn a median of $77,320 per year ($37.17/hour), above the Florida median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 2,442,559 physician assistants in the U.S.. In Florida alone, about 10,570 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,770 physician assistants.
Top Florida Metros for Physician Assistants
The largest metro-area employers of physician assistants in Florida.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 2,370 | $128,420 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,610 | $114,990 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,430 | $127,080 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,070 | $135,960 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 650 | $132,780 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 530 | $148,210 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 300 | $124,830 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 270 | $122,330 |
| Gainesville, FL | 270 | $130,510 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 260 | $121,470 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 220 | $122,530 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 200 | $117,110 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 180 | $123,090 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 180 | $129,830 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 170 | $123,620 |
| Ocala, FL | 150 | $122,040 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | 100 | $122,080 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | 90 | $120,000 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 80 | $124,840 |
| Sebring, FL | 70 | $88,750 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | 60 | $154,550 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 50 | $118,490 |
Top States for Physician Assistants Employment
These states have the highest employment of physician assistants work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New York | 19,390 |
| California | 13,570 |
| Florida | 10,570 |
| Texas | 10,030 |
| North Carolina | 8,520 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,760 |
| Michigan | 5,490 |
| Ohio | 4,530 |
| Georgia | 4,400 |
| Massachusetts | 4,310 |
| Illinois | 3,930 |
| Minnesota | 3,790 |
| Connecticut | 3,700 |
| Arizona | 3,540 |
| Virginia | 3,530 |
| Washington | 3,310 |
| Colorado | 3,180 |
| Wisconsin | 3,040 |
| Maryland | 2,920 |
| Tennessee | 2,380 |
Highest-Paying States for Physician Assistants
The highest-paying states for physician assistants.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $163,020 |
| California | $161,080 |
| Washington | $156,990 |
| New York | $152,650 |
| Oregon | $149,130 |
| Rhode Island | $141,600 |
| New Jersey | $140,490 |
| New Mexico | $139,990 |
| Minnesota | $139,300 |
| Missouri | $139,200 |
Skills
The most important physician assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for physician assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, physician assistants typically:
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
- Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
- Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.
- Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Allied Health Professions
- Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Programs
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like physician assistants include:
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Registered Nurses
- Acute Care Nurses
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Nurse Practitioners
Also Known As
Advanced Practice Provider (AAP), Anesthetic Assistant, Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Certified Physician's Assistant (PA-C), Doctor Assistant, Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA), Family Medicine PA (Family Medicine Physician Assistant), Family Physician Assistant, Family Practice Physician Assistant, Gynecological Assistant, Medical Service Technician, Neurosurgery PA (Neurosurgery Physician Assistant), Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Physician Assistant.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1071.00