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The differences between surgical physician assistants and surgical first 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 $61,480 average annual salary of a surgical first assistant.
The top three skills for a surgical physician assistant include patients, patient care and diagnostic tests. The most important skills for a surgical first assistant are patients, visualization, and patient care.
| Surgical Physician Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $153,482 | $61,480 |
| Hourly rate | $73.79 | $29.56 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 73,380 | 28,503 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A surgical first assistant plays a vital role in a successful surgical procedure. They are primarily in charge of assisting surgeons, such as by arranging and handing over tools, holding open incisions, and dressing surgical wounds. They also perform tasks such as helping patients prepare for surgeries, transporting patients to different rooms, monitoring the inventory of supplies, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, it is essential to implement the safety protocols and measures before, during, and after surgeries for a safe and successful outcome.
Surgical physician assistants and surgical first assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Surgical Physician Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Average salary | $153,482 | $61,480 |
| Salary range | Between $89,000 And $264,000 | Between $41,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, MN | McAllen, TX |
| Highest paying state | Nebraska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a surgical physician assistant and a surgical first assistant in terms of educational background:
| Surgical Physician Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Physician Assistant | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between surgical physician assistants' and surgical first assistants' demographics:
| Surgical Physician Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| 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, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 9.0% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |