Pediatric physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant

The differences between pediatric physician assistants and general surgery physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general surgery physician assistant has an average salary of $228,104, which is higher than the $159,438 average annual salary of a pediatric physician assistant.

The top three skills for a pediatric physician assistant include patients, internal medicine and pediatric emergency. The most important skills for a general surgery physician assistant are patients, plastic surgery, and patient care.

Pediatric physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant overview

	Pediatric Physician Assistant	General Surgery Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$159,438	$228,104
Hourly rate	$76.65	$109.67
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	52,560	81,744
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a pediatric physician assistant do?

A pediatric physician assistant's role is to assist pediatricians and patients in a medical facility. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering young patients' personal information and medical histories, maintaining and updating records, escorting patients to different rooms, relaying important details to families and guardians, and displaying a positive and friendly attitude to patients. There are also instances when a pediatric physician assistant must run errands, coordinate with other physician assistants, and maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of particular areas.

What does a general surgery physician assistant do?

A General Surgery Physician Assistant helps surgeon with various tasks, such as inserting tubes, retracting issues, starting intravenous solutions, and others. They also write orders for patients while they are in the recovery room, as well as examine and monitor patients as they recover from their surgeries.

Pediatric physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant salary

Pediatric physician assistants and general surgery physician assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pediatric Physician Assistant	General Surgery Physician Assistant
Average salary	$159,438	$228,104
Salary range	Between $92,000 And $273,000	Between $118,000 And $439,000
Highest paying City	Fargo, ND	Montclair, CA
Highest paying state	Nebraska	California
Best paying company	Billings Clinic	Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Best paying industry	Health Care	Professional

Differences between pediatric physician assistant and general surgery physician assistant education

There are a few differences between a pediatric physician assistant and a general surgery physician assistant in terms of educational background:

	Pediatric Physician Assistant	General Surgery Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Pediatric physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant demographics

Here are the differences between pediatric physician assistants' and general surgery physician assistants' demographics:

	Pediatric Physician Assistant	General Surgery Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 23.7% Female, 76.3%	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.1% 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, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between pediatric physician assistant and general surgery physician assistant duties and responsibilities

Pediatric physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage general medical problems and medications for inpatient adult and pediatric patients including inpatient rounding, admission and discharge summaries.
Obtain histories and perform physical examinations for new and establish adult and pediatric patients.
Compound epidural for pregnant women in labor.
Excel at maintaining medical records within the EMR.
Utilize multiple inpatient and outpatient EMR and PACS systems.
Order and review radiographs, MRI's and electromyographies.

General surgery 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.
Develop basic surgical skills, such as suturing, retracting of tissue; debridement of wounds.
Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and radiology test within the scope of professional practice.
Educate patients on post-operative recovery and discharge needs.
Evaluate patients for admission from the emergency room and perform inpatient consultations.
Monitor stress testing; review nuclear component of stress images; conduct cardiology consultations inpatient and outpatient settings.

Pediatric physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant skills

Common pediatric physician assistant skills

Patients, 33%
Internal Medicine, 14%
Pediatric Emergency, 11%
Patient Care, 9%
EMR, 9%
Outpatient Clinic, 3%

Common general surgery physician assistant skills

Patients, 34%
Plastic Surgery, 20%
Patient Care, 13%
Physician Assistants, 6%
Surgical Procedures, 4%
Physical Examinations, 3%

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Pediatric Physician Assistant
Pediatric Physician Assistant vs General Surgery Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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