Career comparison
Family Medicine Physician vs. Physician Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Family medicine physicians earn more at the median ($244,180 vs. $135,880), while physician assistants usually get to work faster (About 6–7 years after high school of training). Family medicine physicians provide ongoing primary care to patients of all ages. 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
| Family Medicine Physician | Physician Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $244,180 ($117.39/hr) | $135,880 ($65.33/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $76,830 – $428,550 | $99,380 – $190,280 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.3% (about as fast as average) | +21.1% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,900 | 11,500 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 11 years after high school | About 6–7 years after high school |
| Key credential | ABFM board certification | PA-C (NCCPA certification) |
| Work setting | Family physicians work in clinics, community health centers, hospitals and rural practices.. | PAs work in clinics, hospitals, emergency departments and operating rooms.. |
What each job does
Family Medicine Physician
- Provide checkups and preventive care
- Diagnose and treat common illnesses
- Manage chronic diseases
- Perform minor procedures
- Order and interpret tests
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 helping others, high-pay, indoor work, and high responsibility. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose family medicine physician if…
- I want long-term patient relationships
- I like variety
- I enjoy prevention
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 Family Medicine Physician fit quiz and the Physician Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, family medicine physician or physician assistant?
Family Medicine Physicians earn more at the median: $244,180 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 family medicine physicians (11 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects physician assistants to grow +21.1% from 2025–35, compared with +3.3% for family medicine physicians.