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Physician Assistants in Washington

Physician Assistants in Washington

Want to work as a Physician Assistants in Washington? 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 Washington?

For physician assistants working in Washington, wages run about $156,990 per year (or about $75.47/hour).Earnings range from $121,740 at the 10th percentile to $201,950 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $121,740 $58.53
25th percentile $132,010 $63.47
Median (50th) $156,990 $75.47
75th percentile $170,170 $81.81
90th percentile $201,950 $97.09
Salary ranges for Physician Assistants in Washington

The job concentration index in Washington nationwide is 0.93.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, physician assistants earn a median of $77,320 per year ($37.17/hour), exceeding the Washington median.

Physician Assistants earnings in Washington vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 2,442,559 physician assistants across the United States. In Washington alone, approximately 3,310 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,770 physician assistants.

Physician Assistants in Washington vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Physician Assistants

Top Washington Metros for Physician Assistants

The largest metro-area employers of physician assistants in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,910 $163,460
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 360 $134,670
Yakima, WA 130 $130,320
Kennewick-Richland, WA 120 $158,690
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA 90 $140,860
Bellingham, WA 80 $148,410
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA 70 $141,460
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA 50 $154,480
Walla Walla, WA 30 $158,230

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

Where physician assistants earn the most: 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:

Reading Comprehension  4.1 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.1 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  4.0 / 5
0
5
Writing  4.0 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  4.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Medicine and Dentistry  5.0 / 5
0
5
Biology  4.8 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.6 / 5
0
5
Psychology  4.6 / 5
0
5
Therapy and Counseling  4.5 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  4.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for physician assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Deductive Reasoning  4.1 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.1 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.1 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  4.1 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Information Ordering  4.0 / 5
0
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?

Related college programs include:

  • Allied Health Professions
  • Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Programs

Related occupations to physician assistants include:

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

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