Physician Assistants

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Career Profile

Physician Assistants

What they do

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

Also Called: Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA), Family Practice Physician Assistant, Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant (PA), Physician's Assistant, Surgical Critical Care Physician Assistant (Surgical Critical Care PA), Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA), Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA), Family Practice Physician Assistant, Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant (PA), Physician's Assistant, Surgical Critical Care Physician Assistant (Surgical Critical Care PA), Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA)

KS Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$98,280
Starting Salary (2025)
$125,640
Median Salary (2025)
20.4%
Projected Job Growth
890
KS Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Attention to Detail
Integrity
Dependability
Stress Tolerance
Concern for Others
Self-Control

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Speaking

Expected Knowledge

Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Common Activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 5

Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Master's degree 81%
  • Professional degree 14%
  • Bachelor's degree 5%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

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Nurse Practitioners

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.