Career comparison
Emergency Medicine Physician vs. Physician Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Emergency medicine physicians earn more at the median ($335,550 vs. $135,880), while physician assistants usually get to work faster (About 6–7 years after high school of training). Emergency medicine physicians diagnose and treat anyone who walks into the emergency room. Physician assistants examine, diagnose and treat patients as part of a physician-led team.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Emergency Medicine Physician | Physician Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $335,550 ($161.32/hr) | $135,880 ($65.33/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $103,610 – $495,910 | $99,380 – $190,280 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.2% (about as fast as average) | +21.1% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 900 | 11,500 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 11–12 years after high school | About 6–7 years after high school |
| Key credential | ABEM board certification | PA-C (NCCPA certification) |
| Work setting | Emergency physicians work in hospital emergency departments, urgent care and freestanding ERs.. | PAs work in clinics, hospitals, emergency departments and operating rooms.. |
What each job does
Emergency Medicine Physician
- Evaluate patients quickly
- Resuscitate critically ill patients
- Perform emergency procedures
- Order and interpret tests
- Treat injuries and acute illness
Physician Assistant
- Take medical histories and examine patients
- Order and interpret tests
- Diagnose illnesses and injuries
- Prescribe medications
- Perform procedures and assist in surgery
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, high responsibility, and teamwork. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose emergency medicine physician if…
- I love fast-paced work
- I stay calm in chaos
- I like variety
Choose physician assistant if…
- I want to diagnose and treat patients
- I love science
- I want a faster path than medical school
Still torn? Take the Emergency Medicine Physician fit quiz and the Physician Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, emergency medicine physician or physician assistant?
Emergency Medicine Physicians earn more at the median: $335,550 versus $135,880 for physician assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Physician Assistants typically train faster (About 6–7 years after high school) than emergency medicine physicians (11–12 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects physician assistants to grow +21.1% from 2025–35, compared with +3.2% for emergency medicine physicians.