Physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant

The differences between physician assistants and clinical physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a clinical physician assistant has an average salary of $145,549, which is higher than the $118,812 average annual salary of a physician assistant.

The top three skills for a physician assistant include patients, diagnostic tests and surgery. The most important skills for a clinical physician assistant are patients, primary care, and medical care.

Physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant overview

	Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$118,812	$145,549
Hourly rate	$57.12	$69.98
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	39,752	94,210
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

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.

What does a clinical physician assistant do?

A clinical physician assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in clinics, hospitals, and similar establishments. Typically serving as the patients' first point of contact, it is their responsibility to gather the personal and medical information of patients, identify their needs, answer inquiries, and escort them to offices and other rooms. They may also perform clerical tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, preparing and filing documentation, and coordinating with other offices. Moreover, a clinical physician assistant must maintain an active communication line with physicians and nurses, assisting them as needed.

Physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant salary

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

	Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Average salary	$118,812	$145,549
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $201,000	Between $84,000 And $252,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Duluth, MN
Highest paying state	Vermont	Minnesota
Best paying company	Marshall University	Central Ohio Primary Care
Best paying industry	Education	Non Profits

Differences between physician assistant and clinical physician assistant education

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

	Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant demographics

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

	Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physician assistant and clinical physician assistant duties and responsibilities

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.

Clinical physician assistant example responsibilities.

Implement and manage cardiology internship college course.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Complete nursing assessments, complete care plans, perform ADL's, utilize lifts, alarms and transfer patients safely.
Care for multiple patients in a fast pace setting and provide total care including all treatments, medications and ADL's.
Perform tracheostomy care and suctioning for ventilator dependent patients.
Provide physical therapy services in the inpatient rehabilitation unit and oncology floor.

Physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant skills

Common physician assistant skills

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

Common clinical physician assistant skills

Patients, 30%
Primary Care, 6%
Medical Care, 6%
Family Medicine, 5%
Urgent Care, 5%
Diagnostic Tests, 4%

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Physician Assistant vs Clinical Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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