Surgical physician assistant vs hospitalist physician assistant

The differences between surgical physician assistants and hospitalist 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 $142,373 average annual salary of a hospitalist physician assistant.

The top three skills for a surgical physician assistant include patients, patient care and diagnostic tests. The most important skills for a hospitalist physician assistant are patients, acls, and acute care.

Surgical physician assistant vs hospitalist physician assistant overview

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Hospitalist Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$153,482	$142,373
Hourly rate	$73.79	$68.45
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,380	41,862
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Master's Degree, 41%
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 hospitalist physician assistant do?

A hospitalist physician assistant helps doctors treat patients in a hospital or clinic. They are required to assess and admit patients. Their work environment can be likened to an emergency room, with the difference being that it is for inpatients in a hospital. This position requires decisiveness and strong customer service skills.

Surgical physician assistant vs hospitalist physician assistant salary

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Hospitalist Physician Assistant
Average salary	$153,482	$142,373
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $264,000	Between $83,000 And $242,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, MN	Albuquerque, NM
Highest paying state	Nebraska	Vermont
Best paying company	Mayo Clinic	Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry	Health Care	Non Profits

Differences between surgical physician assistant and hospitalist physician assistant education

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Hospitalist Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Master's Degree, 41%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Surgical physician assistant vs hospitalist physician assistant demographics

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Hospitalist Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 33.2% Female, 66.8%
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, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between surgical physician assistant and hospitalist 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

Hospitalist physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage preoperative orthopedic patients, patients in the post anesthesia care unit and postoperative patients.
Manage complex treatment regimens following diagnosis with medication alterations to improve overall morbidity and mortality.
Perform patient history and physicals, chronic illness maintenance, medication monitoring, routine health maintenance, lab and EKG interpretation
Cover ICU, Med-Surg, cardiology, oncology and general medicine floors.
Perform basic procedures such as suturing, splinting, and gynecological exams.
Post surgical ICU which includes the continual critical and noncritical care in the post surgical ICU.

Surgical physician assistant vs hospitalist 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 hospitalist physician assistant skills

Patients, 41%
Acls, 6%
Acute Care, 6%
Surgery, 4%
Internal Medicine, 3%
Medical Care, 3%

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Surgical Physician Assistant
Surgical Physician Assistant vs Hospitalist Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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