Physician Assistant vs Physician (General Practice): Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Physician Assistant
Diagnose and treat patients under physician supervision.
Physician (General Practice)
Diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions.
Physician (General Practice) earns more on average — the national median is $108,300/year (80%) higher than a Physician Assistant. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Physician Assistant vs Physician (General Practice) — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Physician Assistant | Physician (General Practice) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $194,171 | $363,590 | Physician $169,419 |
| New York, NY | $161,633 | $294,372 | Physician $132,739 |
| Seattle, WA | $167,290 | $353,641 | Physician $186,351 |
| Austin, TX | $149,404 | $272,440 | Physician $123,036 |
| Chicago, IL | $144,066 | $255,595 | Physician $111,529 |
| Boston, MA | $176,632 | $311,219 | Physician $134,587 |
| London, UK | £107,878 | £101,944 | Physician +$5,934 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$182,745 | CA$294,137 | Physician $111,392 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Physician Assistant or Physician (General Practice) earn more?+
A Physician (General Practice) earns more on average. The national median salary for a Physician Assistant is $135,880/year, compared to $244,180/year for a Physician (General Practice) — a difference of $108,300 (80%).
Which has better career growth — Physician Assistant or Physician (General Practice)?+
Physician Assistant roles are growing at 28% YoY while Physician (General Practice) demand is growing at 5% YoY. Physician Assistant has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Physician Assistant to Physician (General Practice)?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Diagnosis, EMR.
Which is harder to automate — Physician Assistant or Physician (General Practice)?+
Physician (General Practice) has a lower AI automation risk (10% vs 14%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.