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The differences between physician assistants and nurses 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 $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.
The top three skills for a physician assistant include patients, diagnostic tests and surgery. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.
| Physician Assistant | Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $118,812 | $57,564 |
| Hourly rate | $57.12 | $27.68 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 39,752 | 696,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
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.
Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.
Physician assistants and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Physician Assistant | Nurse | |
| Average salary | $118,812 | $57,564 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $201,000 | Between $38,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | California |
| Best paying company | Marshall University | Conviva |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a physician assistant and a nurse in terms of educational background:
| Physician Assistant | Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Physician Assistant | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between physician assistants' and nurses' demographics:
| Physician Assistant | Nurse | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4% | Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 9% |