10 Highest-Paying Physician Assistant Specialties for 2025

Why Physician Assistant Specialties Matter More Than Ever

Physician Assistants (PAs), also increasingly referred to as Physician Associates, are stepping up to fill critical gaps in the U.S. healthcare workforce.

With the nation facing a significant physician shortage, PAs are becoming the go-to solution in both primary care and specialized fields. According to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), the doctor shortfall will hit 12% by 2027 and is expected to rise to 16% by 2037.

Yet, the picture for PAs is quite different. HRSA forecasts that between 2022 and 2037, the supply of PAs will increase by 24%, while demand grows only 13%. That suggests a nationwide surplus. However, that “overage” doesn’t reflect local disparities where some communities, particularly medically underserved areas, remain desperate for providers, including PAs.

Even with a national surplus, demand for PAs continues to surge. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28% increase in PA jobs between 2023 and 2033, with nearly 13,000 new openings annually.

Why? Because PAs deliver many of the same high-quality services as physicians, but with shorter training timelines, helping hospitals and clinics stay staffed during healthcare’s ongoing talent crunch.

How Physician Assistant Specialties Boost Earning Power

While PAs already earn strong salaries, choosing a specialty can dramatically increase your income potential.

Some specialties pay significantly more because of:

• Higher patient acuity 

• Advanced surgical skills 

• Critical care needs

• Specialized knowledge shortages

At nurse.education, we analyzed salary data from real job postings in 2024 to predict the Physician Assistant Specialties likely to earn top pay in 2025.

This guide will help you:

• Explore career paths in specialized medicine

• Understand salary ranges for staff and travel PA roles

• Identify high-paying fields worth considering for your future

Let’s dive into the numbers!

Top 5 Highest Average PA Staff Wages by Specialty

Choosing the right specialty can mean a five- or even six-figure difference in annual income. Here’s how staff PA roles stack up for 2025:

1. Hospitalist Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Staff Pay: $3,870

• Highest Weekly Staff Pay: $4,615

Hospitalist PAs keep hospitals running smoothly. They oversee patient care from admission through discharge, managing acute and chronic conditions.

Key tasks include:

• Performing patient assessments

• Ordering and interpreting labs and imaging

• Updating treatment plans

• Coordinating care across specialties

• Educating patients and families

Hospitalist PAs often spearhead quality improvement projects, working to streamline hospital operations and improve patient outcomes.

2. Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Staff Pay: $4,615

• Highest Weekly Staff Pay: $4,922

Among all Physician Assistant Specialties, cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery consistently ranks near the top for earning potential.

These PAs:

• Assist in complex heart and lung surgeries

• Handle vein harvesting and chest closure

• Monitor patients in high-risk surgical settings

• Manage pre-op and post-op care

• Operate specialized equipment like heart-lung bypass machines

Because they’re critical team members during life-saving procedures, their skills command premium salaries.

3. Occupational Medicine Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Staff Pay: $3,533

• Highest Weekly Staff Pay: $4,182

Occupational medicine PAs specialize in workforce health. They:

• Conduct pre-employment screenings

• Diagnose and treat work-related injuries

• Help employers comply with health regulations

• Create programs to boost workplace safety

These PAs often collaborate with safety officers, HR teams, and insurers to keep employees healthy and businesses compliant.

4. Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Staff Pay: $3,415

• Highest Weekly Staff Pay: $4,500

Emergency Medicine PAs thrive on adrenaline. Their scope includes:

• Managing trauma cases

• Performing procedures like intubation and wound repair

• Rapidly diagnosing critical conditions

• Collaborating with specialists under pressure

Their ability to make quick, life-saving decisions is reflected in competitive salaries.

5. Pediatrics Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Staff Pay: $3,354

• Highest Weekly Staff Pay: $4,808

Pediatrics PAs deliver care to infants, children, and teens. They:

• Manage childhood illnesses and chronic conditions

• Perform routine exams

• Counsel parents on development, nutrition, and preventive care

• Monitor growth trends and immunization schedules

Their work supports long-term health for the youngest patients.

Top 5 Highest Average PA Travel Wages by Specialty

Travel PA roles pay even higher, though they’re fewer in number due to licensing hurdles. Unlike nurses, PAs don’t yet have widespread multi-state licensing. The PA Compact is growing, but only 13 states have enacted it so far.

Here are the top travel specialties for 2025:

1. Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Travel Pay: $6,724

• Highest Weekly Travel Pay: $6,724

Travel PAs in cardiac surgery often fill urgent staffing gaps for specialized surgeries. Their responsibilities mirror staff roles but with higher compensation for flexibility and rapid deployments.

2. Critical Care/Intensive Care Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Travel Pay: $5,692

• Highest Weekly Travel Pay: $5,753

Critical care PAs manage patients in ICU settings, handling life-support systems, complex medications, and urgent interventions. Their expertise makes them indispensable for hospitals needing short-term intensive care coverage.

3. Obstetrics/Gynecology Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Travel Pay: $4,884

• Highest Weekly Travel Pay: $4,884

OB/GYN PAs deliver care across women’s health, including:

• Prenatal visits

• Labor and delivery assistance

• Postpartum care

• Gynecological procedures

Travel PAs help fill gaps in facilities experiencing provider shortages in women’s health.

4. Family Practice Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Travel Pay: $4,023

• Highest Weekly Travel Pay: $4,023

Family Practice PAs handle comprehensive care for all ages. Their diverse skill set makes them highly marketable for travel assignments in communities facing primary care shortages.

5. General Surgery Physician Assistant

• Average Weekly Travel Pay: $3,679

• Highest Weekly Travel Pay: $8,400

General Surgery PAs:

• Assist in surgeries

• Handle wound care and closures

• Oversee pre- and post-op patient care

• Manage surgical documentation

Their broad surgical experience makes them valuable for travel positions in varied hospital systems.

How to Boost Your Salary in Physician Assistant Specialties

Becoming a PA is a rigorous journey. You’ll need:

• A bachelor’s degree (often in a science field)

• Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited PA program

• Passing the PANCE exam

• Licensure in your practicing state

Once licensed, pursuing specialty credentials can increase your earning power. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) offers Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQs) for certain fields.

Available CAQs include:

• Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 

• Dermatology 

• Emergency Medicine 

• Hospital Medicine 

• Occupational Medicine 

• Obstetrics and Gynecology 

• Orthopaedic Surgery 

• Pediatrics 

• Psychiatry 

• Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care 

• Nephrology (and Geriatric Medicine coming in 2026!)

Holding a CAQ can strengthen your resume and negotiating power for top-paying roles.

Additional Physician Assistant Specialties to Consider

Even if a specialty didn’t make the top 10 salary list, it may still offer excellent opportunities. Other solid Physician Assistant Specialties include:

These fields can offer:

• Intellectual challenges

• Unique skill sets

• Strong job stability

• Competitive pay, especially in underserved regions

Whether you’re a practicing PA or a nurse considering expanding into the PA profession, these paths offer diverse, fulfilling careers.

The Future of Physician Assistant Specialties

Healthcare is evolving fast, and PAs are at the heart of that change.

As hospitals look to manage costs and maintain high-quality care amid physician shortages, demand for PAs in specialized roles will continue growing. Choosing one of these high-paying Physician Assistant Specialties could set you on a path to financial stability and career satisfaction.

If you’re exploring new opportunities or seeking to boost your income, nurse.education is your partner in planning the next steps in your PA journey.

Ready to explore your future? Visit nurse.education and discover how you can elevate your career in one of these exciting PA specialties!