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The role of a Physician Extender, often encompassing Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, has become increasingly vital in the healthcare landscape. As of October 2025, the average salary for this profession stands at $244,718 per year. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific healthcare settings.
In states like California, the average compensation tends to be higher due to the demand for healthcare services. For example, the highest-paying cities for Physician Extenders include San Francisco and New York City, where salaries often exceed the national average. Additionally, specialized roles within healthcare can command even greater pay, with some positions offering salaries well above $300,000.
To maximize earning potential, aspiring Physician Extenders should consider pursuing advanced certifications and continuing education. These credentials not only enhance professional skills but also improve job prospects in a competitive job market. By understanding the salary dynamics and educational requirements, individuals can make strategic career decisions that lead to fulfilling and financially rewarding careers.
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The highest-paying states for physician extenders are New Mexico, Nebraska, and California. The lowest average physician extender salary states are Delaware, Maryland, and Maine.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $202,287 | $97.25 |
| 2 | Arizona | $191,529 | $92.08 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $183,561 | $88.25 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $196,325 | $94.39 |
| 5 | Nevada | $190,468 | $91.57 |
| 6 | South Dakota | $180,751 | $86.90 |
| 7 | Iowa | $187,441 | $90.12 |
| 8 | Arkansas | $190,269 | $91.48 |
| 9 | Mississippi | $181,887 | $87.45 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $178,796 | $85.96 |
| 11 | Louisiana | $179,162 | $86.14 |
| 12 | Texas | $184,579 | $88.74 |
| 13 | Florida | $186,136 | $89.49 |
| 14 | Oregon | $182,705 | $87.84 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $174,227 | $83.76 |
| 16 | Washington | $185,211 | $89.04 |
| 17 | Tennessee | $178,823 | $85.97 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $180,536 | $86.80 |
| 19 | California | $192,818 | $92.70 |
| 20 | Vermont | $175,753 | $84.50 |
| 21 | Michigan | $176,285 | $84.75 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $174,466 | $83.88 |
| 23 | Utah | $182,507 | $87.74 |
| 24 | Alaska | $177,356 | $85.27 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $177,968 | $85.56 |
| 26 | Montana | $173,879 | $83.60 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $177,142 | $85.16 |
| 28 | Georgia | $178,593 | $85.86 |
| 29 | Indiana | $172,412 | $82.89 |
| 30 | Colorado | $183,343 | $88.15 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $173,599 | $83.46 |
| 32 | Kansas | $175,870 | $84.55 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $171,061 | $82.24 |
| 34 | Connecticut | $174,716 | $84.00 |
| 35 | Alabama | $171,456 | $82.43 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $168,864 | $81.18 |
| 37 | Missouri | $172,592 | $82.98 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | $167,007 | $80.29 |
| 39 | Ohio | $169,978 | $81.72 |
| 40 | Illinois | $172,174 | $82.78 |
| 41 | New York | $168,054 | $80.80 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | $146,663 | $70.51 |
| 43 | Massachusetts | $169,141 | $81.32 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | $157,556 | $75.75 |
| 45 | New Jersey | $169,882 | $81.67 |
| 46 | District of Columbia | $173,499 | $83.41 |
| 47 | Maryland | $164,248 | $78.97 |
| 48 | Virginia | $169,358 | $81.42 |
| 49 | Delaware | $165,652 | $79.64 |
| 50 | Maine | $160,181 | $77.01 |
| 51 | Idaho | $156,557 | $75.27 |
The highest-paying cities for physician extenders are Des Moines, IA, Seattle, WA, and Oceanside, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines, IA | $277,468 | $133.40 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $271,536 | $130.55 |
| 3 | Oceanside, CA | $268,847 | $129.25 |
| 4 | Tucson, AZ | $264,011 | $126.93 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $238,603 | $114.71 |
| 6 | Tupelo, MS | $237,598 | $114.23 |
| 7 | Asheville, NC | $229,026 | $110.11 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $212,941 | $102.38 |
| 9 | Montgomery, AL | $211,207 | $101.54 |
| 10 | Covington, KY | $207,901 | $99.95 |
| 11 | Freehold, NJ | $202,703 | $97.45 |
| 12 | New York, NY | $198,515 | $95.44 |
A physician extender's salary ranges from $125,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $476,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $476,000 | $39,667 | $229 |
| 75th Percentile | $347,000 | $28,917 | $167 |
| Average | $244,718 | $20,393 | $118 |
| 25th Percentile | $172,000 | $14,333 | $83 |
| 10th Percentile | $125,000 | $10,417 | $60 |
The highest paying types of physician extenders are pain management physician, orthopaedic physician assistant, and senior physician.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation Technician | $29,533 | $2,461 | $14.20 | 31,196 |
| Cardiovascular Technician | $62,986 | $5,249 | $30.28 | 37,036 |
| Certified Athletic Trainer | $47,184 | $3,932 | $22.68 | 90,171 |
| Exercise Physiologist | $49,399 | $4,117 | $23.75 | 38,633 |
| Athletic Trainer | $47,028 | $3,919 | $22.61 | 56,812 |
| Pain Management Physician | $253,724 | $21,144 | $121.98 | 109,196 |
Top companies hiring physician extenders now:
Physician extender salaries at UnitedHealth Group and Hanger are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average physician extender salary at companies like Wake County and Addiction Recovery Care are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UnitedHealth Group | $342,306 | $164.57 |
| 2 | Hanger | $259,715 | $124.86 |
| 3 | Wake County | $252,366 | $121.33 |
| 4 | Addiction Recovery Care | $249,883 | $120.14 |
| 5 | Nationwide Children's Hospital | $248,564 | $119.50 |
| 6 | Memorial Hospital | $247,843 | $119.16 |
| 7 | New Bridge Medical Center | $236,914 | $113.90 |
| 8 | St. John's Episcopal Hospital | $236,826 | $113.86 |
| 9 | Luke & Associates | $231,007 | $111.06 |
| 10 | Alliance Health | $230,050 | $110.60 |
| 11 | Americorps | $221,304 | $106.40 |
| 12 | Ohio State University Medical Center | $206,791 | $99.42 |
| 13 | Tenet Healthcare | $197,268 | $94.84 |
| 14 | Select Medical | $146,025 | $70.20 |
| 15 | NC.gov | $112,389 | $54.03 |
| 16 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $109,615 | $52.70 |
The average physician extender salary has risen by $56,689 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average physician extender earned $188,030 annually, but today, they earn $244,718 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for physician extenders over the last decade.
Compare physician extender salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare physician extender salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $245,000 | $117.65 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $238,000 | $114.46 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $230,000 | $110.74 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $222,000 | $106.92 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $215,000 | $103.47 | +3.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centracare Health | Patient Care Extender | Emergency Trauma Center | Saint Cloud, MN | 06/27/2025 | $37,232 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Physician Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC Acos) | Prescott, AZ | 06/18/2025 | $300,000 |
| Patient First | Maryland Physician Extender | Maryland | 06/09/2025 | $143,000 |
| State of North Carolina | Physician Extender I (Buncombe County)--Temporary Solutions | Asheville, NC | 06/02/2025 | $104,350 |
| River Edge | D185-Idd-Csdc-Care Extender | Macon, GA | 05/20/2025 | $15,131 |
| Illinois Bone and Joint Institute | ATC Physician Extender | Hinsdale, IL | 05/09/2025 | $44,000 |
| Patient First | Maryland Physician Extender | Maryland | 04/28/2025 | $143,000 |
| Centracare Health | Patient Care Extender | Emergency Trauma Center | Saint Cloud, MN | 04/28/2025 | $37,232 |
| Illinois Bone and Joint Institute | ATC Physician Extender | Naperville, IL | 04/27/2025 | $44,000 |
| Northwell Health | Physician Extender ATC-KEW Gardens | New York, NY | 04/25/2025 | $64,350 |
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