Physician assistant vs physician extender

The differences between physician assistants and physician extenders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physician extender has an average salary of $244,718, 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 physician extender are patients, patient care, and medical care.

Physician assistant vs physician extender overview

	Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Yearly salary	$118,812	$244,718
Hourly rate	$57.12	$117.65
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	39,752	73,599
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
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 physician extender do?

Physician extenders are not physicians. However, physician extenders perform a vital task in the overall care of patients. They diagnose and treat medical conditions, document and update patient records, consult patients, and perform physical exams. They may serve either as physician assistants or nurse practitioners. In becoming a physician extender, they must be a registered nurse or must have medical experience by working in the medical field even at a lower level. They need to be a regulatory agency certified and licensed instructor in their region or state.

Physician assistant vs physician extender salary

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

	Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Average salary	$118,812	$244,718
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $201,000	Between $125,000 And $476,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Des Moines, IA
Highest paying state	Vermont	New Mexico
Best paying company	Marshall University	UnitedHealth Group
Best paying industry	Education	Professional

Differences between physician assistant and physician extender education

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

	Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Athletic Training
Most common college	Duke University	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Physician assistant vs physician extender demographics

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

	Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
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, 5.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physician assistant and physician extender 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.

Physician extender example responsibilities.

Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Render emergency medical treatment and transport patients.
Initial reading of EKG's.
Assess patients' symptoms while conducting initial injury evaluation.
Work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic with emphasis on physical medicine, rehabilitation of both chronic and acute orthopedic conditions.
Perform wound care.perform laceration repair including suturing.

Physician assistant vs physician extender skills

Common physician assistant skills

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

Common physician extender skills

Patients, 43%
Patient Care, 15%
Medical Care, 5%
Rehabilitation, 4%
Physical Therapy, 3%
Clinical Care, 3%

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Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant vs Physician Extender

Updated January 8, 2025

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