1. There were 66,000 physician assistants employed in the United States in 2006.
2. The number of physician assistants is expected to grow 27 percent, to 83,000, by 2016.
3. The median annual earnings of physician assistants was $74,980 in 2006.
4. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,100.
5. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,430 and $89,220.
6. The highest 10 percent earned more than $102,230.
7. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of physician assistants were:
- Outpatient care centers — $80,960
- General medical and surgical hospitals — $76,710
- Offices of physicians —$74,160
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook: 2008-09 Edition.
