The American Academy of Physician Assistants has released its 2023 "Digital Salary Report," which found that base compensation for PAs has risen by 4.3 percent since 2021.
The report surveyed 12,180 PAs nationwide and found that base compensation for PAs without bonuses was $115,000 in 2021 and grew to $120,000 in 2022, according to a May 3 news release shared with Becker's.
The top three states for base salaries were California ($140,000), Hawaii ($135,000) and Alaska ($131,625).
The survey also found that PAs are now often finding employment in their desired location and specialty and that, compared to metro-area PAs, median cost-of-living-adjusted compensation was often higher for PAs working in nonmetro areas.
Additionally, fewer PAs reported that their institution was experiencing staffing shortages than in 2021, with a drop from 88 percent to roughly 79 percent.
However, staffing shortages are still a primary concern, and demand for PAs is high.
"During a time when healthcare workforce shortages nationwide are having a real impact on patient access to care, the PA workforce and the demand for PAs has never been stronger," Jennifer Orozco, DMSc, PA-C, AAPA president and chair of the board, said in the release. "Nationwide, there are more than 168,000 PAs who account for more than 514 million patient visits each year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the PA profession is expected to grow 28 [percent] between 2021 and 2031. I am pleased to see PA compensation continue to rise."