Surgical physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant

The differences between surgical physician assistants and general surgery physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general surgery physician assistant has an average salary of $228,104, which is higher than the $153,482 average annual salary of a surgical physician assistant.

The top three skills for a surgical physician assistant include patients, patient care and diagnostic tests. The most important skills for a general surgery physician assistant are patients, plastic surgery, and patient care.

Surgical physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant overview

	Surgical Physician Assistant	General Surgery Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$153,482	$228,104
Hourly rate	$73.79	$109.67
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,380	81,744
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
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 general surgery physician assistant do?

A General Surgery Physician Assistant helps surgeon with various tasks, such as inserting tubes, retracting issues, starting intravenous solutions, and others. They also write orders for patients while they are in the recovery room, as well as examine and monitor patients as they recover from their surgeries.

Surgical physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant salary

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	General Surgery Physician Assistant
Average salary	$153,482	$228,104
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $264,000	Between $118,000 And $439,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, MN	Montclair, CA
Highest paying state	Nebraska	California
Best paying company	Mayo Clinic	Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Best paying industry	Health Care	Professional

Differences between surgical physician assistant and general surgery physician assistant education

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	General Surgery Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Surgical physician assistant vs general surgery physician assistant demographics

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	General Surgery 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, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between surgical physician assistant and general surgery 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

General surgery physician assistant example responsibilities.

Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Develop basic surgical skills, such as suturing, retracting of tissue; debridement of wounds.
Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and radiology test within the scope of professional practice.
Educate patients on post-operative recovery and discharge needs.
Evaluate patients for admission from the emergency room and perform inpatient consultations.
Monitor stress testing; review nuclear component of stress images; conduct cardiology consultations inpatient and outpatient settings.

Surgical physician assistant vs general surgery 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 general surgery physician assistant skills

Patients, 34%
Plastic Surgery, 20%
Patient Care, 13%
Physician Assistants, 6%
Surgical Procedures, 4%
Physical Examinations, 3%

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Surgical Physician Assistant
Surgical Physician Assistant vs General Surgery Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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