Surgical physician assistant vs pediatric physician assistant

The differences between surgical physician assistants and pediatric physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pediatric physician assistant has an average salary of $159,438, 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 pediatric physician assistant are patients, internal medicine, and pediatric emergency.

Surgical physician assistant vs pediatric physician assistant overview

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Pediatric Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$153,482	$159,438
Hourly rate	$73.79	$76.65
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,380	52,560
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor'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 pediatric physician assistant do?

A pediatric physician assistant's role is to assist pediatricians and patients in a medical facility. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering young patients' personal information and medical histories, maintaining and updating records, escorting patients to different rooms, relaying important details to families and guardians, and displaying a positive and friendly attitude to patients. There are also instances when a pediatric physician assistant must run errands, coordinate with other physician assistants, and maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of particular areas.

Surgical physician assistant vs pediatric physician assistant salary

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Pediatric Physician Assistant
Average salary	$153,482	$159,438
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $264,000	Between $92,000 And $273,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, MN	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Nebraska	Nebraska
Best paying company	Mayo Clinic	Billings Clinic
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between surgical physician assistant and pediatric physician assistant education

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

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

Surgical physician assistant vs pediatric physician assistant demographics

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Pediatric Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 23.7% Female, 76.3%
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 pediatric 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

Pediatric physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage general medical problems and medications for inpatient adult and pediatric patients including inpatient rounding, admission and discharge summaries.
Obtain histories and perform physical examinations for new and establish adult and pediatric patients.
Compound epidural for pregnant women in labor.
Excel at maintaining medical records within the EMR.
Utilize multiple inpatient and outpatient EMR and PACS systems.
Order and review radiographs, MRI's and electromyographies.

Surgical physician assistant vs pediatric 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 pediatric physician assistant skills

Patients, 33%
Internal Medicine, 14%
Pediatric Emergency, 11%
Patient Care, 9%
EMR, 9%
Outpatient Clinic, 3%

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Surgical Physician Assistant
Surgical Physician Assistant vs Pediatric Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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