Surgical physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant

The differences between surgical physician assistants and clinical physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surgical physician assistant has an average salary of $153,482, which is higher than the $145,549 average annual salary of a clinical physician assistant.

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

Surgical physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant overview

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$153,482	$145,549
Hourly rate	$73.79	$69.98
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,380	94,210
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a surgical physician assistant do?

A surgical physician assistant plays a vital role in surgeries and patient care. In surgeries, they typically assist surgeons by performing physical examinations on patients, handing tools and necessary items, closing incisions, and even maintaining the cleanliness of operating rooms while adhering to the hospital's health and safety regulations. It is also their duty to assist patients before and after surgeries by answering inquiries, discussing important matters such as treatment options, prescribing or administering medicine, and counseling patients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way.

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.

Surgical physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant salary

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Average salary	$153,482	$145,549
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $264,000	Between $84,000 And $252,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, MN	Duluth, MN
Highest paying state	Nebraska	Minnesota
Best paying company	Mayo Clinic	Central Ohio Primary Care
Best paying industry	Health Care	Non Profits

Differences between surgical physician assistant and clinical physician assistant education

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Surgical physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant demographics

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Clinical Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.2% 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 surgical physician assistant and clinical physician assistant duties and responsibilities

Surgical physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage s/p cardiac bypass in recovery unit, ICU and step down units.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Certify CPR and basic first aid instructor trainer.
Perform debridement, incision and drainage, wind VAC, ostomy care.
Perform resuscitative measures in a code setting using ACLS, ATLS protocols.
Perform minor procedures including but not limit to: Foley catheter placement, drain removal, dressing changes and removals

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.

Surgical physician assistant vs clinical physician assistant skills

Common surgical physician assistant skills

Patients, 29%
Patient Care, 12%
Diagnostic Tests, 6%
Physical Examinations, 4%
Surgical Procedures, 3%
CPR, 3%

Common clinical physician assistant skills

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

Surgical Physician Assistant vs. similar jobs

Surgical Physician Assistant related careers

Surgical Physician Assistant related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Surgical Physician Assistant
Surgical Physician Assistant vs Clinical Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs