Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Physician Assistant
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring physician assistants, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $135,880), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify PA-C (NCCPA certification) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for physician assistants
There are about 168,900 physician assistants employed in the U.S., with roughly 11,500 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +21.1% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $99,380–$120,670 | $47.78–$58.01 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $163,980 | $78.84 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $190,280 | $91.48 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Master's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Patient assessment
- Communication
Nice-to-haves
- PA-C (NCCPA certification)
- State PA license
- DEA registration
- Experience with electronic health records
Where to find physician assistants
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: PA, PA-C, Physician Associate, Surgical PA
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why PA instead of medical school?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain your reasons.
2. “Describe your patient-care experience.”
What a strong answer includes: Be specific.
3. “How do you handle uncertainty in diagnosis?”
What a strong answer includes: Show judgment.
4. “How do you work with physicians?”
What a strong answer includes: Show teamwork.
5. “What specialty interests you?”
What a strong answer includes: Share why.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Perform a Focused Patient Assessment (see the steps)
- Write a Clear SOAP Note (see the steps)
- Close a Laceration with Sutures (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as PANCE, PA-C, Differential diagnosis
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Physician Assistant 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Physician Assistant training. Show them the path forward: Patient-Care Role → Physician Assistant → Senior or Lead PA → PA Director or Educator.
Hiring physician assistants: FAQ
How much should I pay a physician assistant?
The U.S. median wage for physician assistants is $135,880 per year ($65.33/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($120,670), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($163,980). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a physician assistant have?
BLS lists “master's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for PA-C (NCCPA certification) and State PA license where relevant, plus skills such as patient assessment, diagnosis, and pharmacology.
How long does it take to train a new physician assistant?
Becoming qualified typically takes About 6–7 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”