Certified physician assistant vs surgical physician assistant

The differences between certified physician assistants and surgical physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surgical physician assistant has an average salary of $153,482, which is higher than the $126,201 average annual salary of a certified physician assistant.

The top three skills for a certified physician assistant include patients, diagnosis and surgical procedures. The most important skills for a surgical physician assistant are patients, patient care, and diagnostic tests.

Certified physician assistant vs surgical physician assistant overview

	Certified Physician Assistant	Surgical Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$126,201	$153,482
Hourly rate	$60.67	$73.79
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	123,124	73,380
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

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 surgical physician assistant do?

A surgical physician assistant plays a vital role in surgeries and patient care. In surgeries, they typically assist surgeons by performing physical examinations on patients, handing tools and necessary items, closing incisions, and even maintaining the cleanliness of operating rooms while adhering to the hospital's health and safety regulations. It is also their duty to assist patients before and after surgeries by answering inquiries, discussing important matters such as treatment options, prescribing or administering medicine, and counseling patients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way.

Certified physician assistant vs surgical physician assistant salary

Certified physician assistants and surgical physician assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Certified Physician Assistant	Surgical Physician Assistant
Average salary	$126,201	$153,482
Salary range	Between $73,000 And $215,000	Between $89,000 And $264,000
Highest paying City	-	Rochester, MN
Highest paying state	-	Nebraska
Best paying company	-	Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between certified physician assistant and surgical physician assistant education

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

	Certified Physician Assistant	Surgical Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Certified physician assistant vs surgical physician assistant demographics

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

	Certified Physician Assistant	Surgical Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%
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, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between certified physician assistant and surgical physician assistant 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.

Surgical physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage s/p cardiac bypass in recovery unit, ICU and step down units.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Certify CPR and basic first aid instructor trainer.
Perform debridement, incision and drainage, wind VAC, ostomy care.
Perform resuscitative measures in a code setting using ACLS, ATLS protocols.
Perform minor procedures including but not limit to: Foley catheter placement, drain removal, dressing changes and removals

Certified physician assistant vs surgical physician assistant skills

Common certified physician assistant skills

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

Common surgical physician assistant skills

Patients, 29%
Patient Care, 12%
Diagnostic Tests, 6%
Physical Examinations, 4%
Surgical Procedures, 3%
CPR, 3%

Certified Physician Assistant vs. similar jobs

Certified Physician Assistant related careers

Certified Physician Assistant related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Certified Physician Assistant
Certified Physician Assistant vs Surgical Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs