Physician assistant vs senior physician

The differences between physician assistants and senior physicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior physician has an average salary of $178,091, 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 senior physician are patients, internal medicine, and primary care.

Physician assistant vs senior physician overview

	Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Yearly salary	$118,812	$178,091
Hourly rate	$57.12	$85.62
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	39,752	56,029
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
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 senior physician do?

A senior physician specializes in diagnosing and treating different medical conditions. They typically offer consultations and check-ups, conduct examinations, study patients' medical histories, and guide patients through different treatments. A senior physician is a medical expert with years of experience, which gives them the authority to oversee various medical projects and operations, lead junior physicians, and participate in developing and implementing the facility's standards and regulations.

Physician assistant vs senior physician salary

Physician assistants and senior physicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Average salary	$118,812	$178,091
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $201,000	Between $102,000 And $310,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Vermont	Nebraska
Best paying company	Marshall University	Medtronic
Best paying industry	Education	Pharmaceutical

Differences between physician assistant and senior physician education

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

	Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Business
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Physician assistant vs senior physician demographics

Here are the differences between physician assistants' and senior physicians' demographics:

	Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%	Male, 41.8% Female, 58.2%
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, 12.1% Asian, 11.6% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physician assistant and senior physician 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.

Senior physician example responsibilities.

Manage emergency medical treatments on patients with life threatening illnesses and/or injuries.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Assist with dental surgery and lab procedures.
Provide training and education of clients on EMR submission.
Participate and conduct hospital rounds, ICU rounds, consultation, writes orders, and being on calls for trauma patients.
Monitor patients's progress and condition, re-evaluat treatments as necessary.

Physician assistant vs senior physician skills

Common physician assistant skills

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

Common senior physician skills

Patients, 31%
Internal Medicine, 6%
Primary Care, 6%
Family Practice, 5%
Patient Care, 5%
EMR, 5%

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Physician Assistant vs Senior Physician

Updated January 8, 2025

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