Surgical physician assistant vs senior physician

The differences between surgical physician assistants and senior physicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior physician has an average salary of $178,091, 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 senior physician are patients, internal medicine, and primary care.

Surgical physician assistant vs senior physician overview

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Yearly salary	$153,482	$178,091
Hourly rate	$73.79	$85.62
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,380	56,029
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
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 senior physician do?

A senior physician specializes in diagnosing and treating different medical conditions. They typically offer consultations and check-ups, conduct examinations, study patients' medical histories, and guide patients through different treatments. A senior physician is a medical expert with years of experience, which gives them the authority to oversee various medical projects and operations, lead junior physicians, and participate in developing and implementing the facility's standards and regulations.

Surgical physician assistant vs senior physician salary

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Average salary	$153,482	$178,091
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $264,000	Between $102,000 And $310,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, MN	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Nebraska	Nebraska
Best paying company	Mayo Clinic	Medtronic
Best paying industry	Health Care	Pharmaceutical

Differences between surgical physician assistant and senior physician education

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Business
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Surgical physician assistant vs senior physician demographics

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Senior Physician
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 41.8% Female, 58.2%
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, 12.1% Asian, 11.6% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between surgical physician assistant and senior physician 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

Senior physician example responsibilities.

Manage emergency medical treatments on patients with life threatening illnesses and/or injuries.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Assist with dental surgery and lab procedures.
Provide training and education of clients on EMR submission.
Participate and conduct hospital rounds, ICU rounds, consultation, writes orders, and being on calls for trauma patients.
Monitor patients's progress and condition, re-evaluat treatments as necessary.

Surgical physician assistant vs senior physician skills

Common surgical physician assistant skills

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

Common senior physician skills

Patients, 31%
Internal Medicine, 6%
Primary Care, 6%
Family Practice, 5%
Patient Care, 5%
EMR, 5%

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 Senior Physician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs