Certified physician assistant vs certified medical aide

The differences between certified physician assistants and certified medical aides can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified physician assistant has an average salary of $126,201, which is higher than the $32,675 average annual salary of a certified medical aide.

The top three skills for a certified physician assistant include patients, diagnosis and surgical procedures. The most important skills for a certified medical aide are vital signs, CMA, and state regulations.

Certified physician assistant vs certified medical aide overview

	Certified Physician Assistant	Certified Medical Aide
Yearly salary	$126,201	$32,675
Hourly rate	$60.67	$15.71
Growth rate	28%	9%
Number of jobs	123,124	235,444
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Associate Degree, 25%
Average age	39	42
Years of experience	-	3

What does a certified physician assistant do?

Certified Physician assistants are healthcare professionals who are trained and supervised by a physician to diagnose and treat illness as well as provide preventive care to their patients. These assistants must collaborate with specialists so that they can ensure optimal patient care through formal and informal consultations. They are required to develop and implement new strategies for patient care based on current medical practice guidelines. Certified Physician Assistants must also assist with cases in general surgery such as orthopedic, thoracic, and vascular procedures.

What does a certified medical aide do?

A certified medical aide's role is to assist registered nurses in providing care and assistance to patients. Among their responsibilities include administering medication to patients under the nurses' supervision, monitoring medication schedules and intakes, recording vital signs and other information, and observing the patients' behavior or progress, reporting to the nurses regularly. They may also assist medical staff in performing clerical tasks or transporting patients. Furthermore, a certified medical aide must respond to the needs of patients while adhering to the safety policies and standards.

Certified physician assistant vs certified medical aide salary

Certified physician assistants and certified medical aides have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Certified Physician Assistant	Certified Medical Aide
Average salary	$126,201	$32,675
Salary range	Between $73,000 And $215,000	Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	The Blake School
Best paying industry	-	Media

Differences between certified physician assistant and certified medical aide education

There are a few differences between a certified physician assistant and a certified medical aide in terms of educational background:

	Certified Physician Assistant	Certified Medical Aide
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Associate Degree, 25%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	-

Certified physician assistant vs certified medical aide demographics

Here are the differences between certified physician assistants' and certified medical aides' demographics:

	Certified Physician Assistant	Certified Medical Aide
Average age	39	42
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 13.2% Female, 86.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	12%	7%

Differences between certified physician assistant and certified medical aide duties and responsibilities

Certified physician assistant example responsibilities.

Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Provide bio-identical hormone replacement therapy to select patients and provide coordination of patient care in a rural primary care setting.
Perform comprehensive history and physical exams and provide a multidisciplinary care plan for patients suffering from acute and chronic pain.
Perform suturing repair for laceration repairs.
Work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic with emphasis on physical medicine, rehabilitation of both chronic and acute orthopedic conditions.
Document all procedures via dictation or handwritten in patient chart.

Certified medical aide example responsibilities.

Manage memory unity within facility.
Perform safety techniques, including CPR and first aid, in emergency situations.
Coordinate & instruct CPR classes for MCPHD, community organizations & lay-persons.
Adhere to all HIPAA regulations regarding the release of confidential medical information.
Reorder & administrator medications, vitals, charting, and assist with ADL's.
cart in order, to love and have compassion for residents, to listen and care

Certified physician assistant vs certified medical aide skills

Common certified physician assistant skills

Patients, 25%
Diagnosis, 7%
Surgical Procedures, 5%
Outpatient Clinic, 5%
Urgent Care, 4%
Internal Medicine, 4%

Common certified medical aide skills

Vital Signs, 17%
CMA, 10%
State Regulations, 10%
Infection Control, 8%
Patients, 6%
CPR, 6%

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Certified Physician Assistant vs Certified Medical Aide

Updated January 8, 2025

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