Is physician assistant and medical the same?

Physician assistants (PAs) and doctors (also called physicians) are both licensed healthcare professionals who can provide medical care to patients. However, there are some key differences between the two professions.

Education: PAs complete a two-year master's degree program in physician assistant studies, while doctors complete a four-year medical degree program followed by a three-to seven-year residency program.

Scope of practice: PAs are typically licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor. This means that they can perform many of the same tasks as doctors, such as diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing surgery. However, PAs are not allowed to perform certain procedures, such as major surgeries or complex medical procedures.

Salary: The median annual salary for a PA is \$108,430, while the median annual salary for a doctor is \$208,000.

Career outlook: The job outlook for PAs is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of PAs will grow by 31% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.