Epidemiologist vs physician assistant

The differences between epidemiologists and physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physician assistant has an average salary of $118,812, which is higher than the $59,329 average annual salary of an epidemiologist.

The top three skills for an epidemiologist include SAS, data analysis and statistical analysis. The most important skills for a physician assistant are patients, diagnostic tests, and surgery.

Epidemiologist vs physician assistant overview

	Epidemiologist	Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$59,329	$118,812
Hourly rate	$28.52	$57.12
Growth rate	26%	28%
Number of jobs	485	39,752
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	41	39
Years of experience	4	-

What does an epidemiologist do?

An epidemiologist specializes in studying and investigating different diseases, including its causes and effects on the human body. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering samples and subjecting them to various experiments and scientific procedures, traveling to different areas to conduct observations and in-depth analysis, maintaining extensive records, coordinating with other scientists and experts, and summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as an epidemiologist, it is vital to utilize expertise by creating policies for a healthy and safe environment for everyone.

What does a physician assistant do?

The physician assistant, also known as "PA," is now considered a key player to any healthcare team. Physician assistants are health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians. They work on several areas of medicine, from primary care to emergency service and even psychiatry. Neither they are a doctor nor a physician, but their job profile showcases many of these responsibilities. More than as assistants to the doctors, they are also equipped to examine, diagnose, and develop treatment strategies for patients.

Epidemiologist vs physician assistant salary

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

	Epidemiologist	Physician Assistant
Average salary	$59,329	$118,812
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $125,000	Between $70,000 And $201,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Vermont
Best paying company	Exxon Mobil	Marshall University
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between epidemiologist and physician assistant education

There are a few differences between an epidemiologist and a physician assistant in terms of educational background:

	Epidemiologist	Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Harvard University	Duke University

Epidemiologist vs physician assistant demographics

Here are the differences between epidemiologists' and physician assistants' demographics:

	Epidemiologist	Physician Assistant
Average age	41	39
Gender ratio	Male, 35.8% Female, 64.2%	Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	8%	12%

Differences between epidemiologist and physician assistant duties and responsibilities

Epidemiologist example responsibilities.

Manage chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, etc.
Used SQL to query health encounters collect and maintain in a data warehouse.
Analyze health outcomes using risk ratios, regression models and descriptive statistics in SPSS.
Experience with SQL programming, web applications with query, analytics and dashboard features.
Recruit NYC businesses to join the program and train worksite coordinators on approaches to developing an onsite wellness program.
Serve as the lead chronic disease epidemiologist supporting the state tumor registry and the breast and cervical cancer early detection program.

Physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage a variety of acute and chronic conditions especially asthma, allergies, injuries, and infectious diseases.
Manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, ASCVD, chronic back and joint pains, depression, and anxiety.
Manage patient surgical care throughout the continuum of care from pre-op, to discharge planning, including ambulatory and hospital in-patients.
Attain pertinent history & physicals for obstetrics and gynecological acute and preventative visits.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Aid in the acute management of trauma patients including obtaining appropriate studies, suturing, and CPR.

Epidemiologist vs physician assistant skills

Common epidemiologist skills

SAS, 8%
Data Analysis, 7%
Statistical Analysis, 7%
Patients, 5%
Infectious Disease, 4%
Data Management, 4%

Common physician assistant skills

Patients, 29%
Diagnostic Tests, 6%
Surgery, 5%
Primary Care, 5%
Urgent Care, 4%
CPR, 3%

Epidemiologist vs. similar jobs

Epidemiologist related careers

Epidemiologist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologist vs Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs