For Educators: Military Resources
Military Physician Assistants
Median Salary
125,487
Workforce Count
2,923
Overview
What are the responsibilities of this role?
Physician assistants are nationally certified health professionals who provide primary medical care, including diagnosing and treating diseases, and prescribing medication. They often work under the direction of a physician. When a physician is unavailable, physician assistants serve as the authority on determining medical necessity, priority, and requirements for emergency care, stabilization, and patient evacuation.
What is the work environment like?
Physician assistants work in hospitals and clinics on land and aboard ships.
How many people have this role in the Military?
2,923
Compensation
Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Always fixed based on rank and service time.
- Distributed monthly.
What is the typical salary range?
Salary by Years of Service
$163,620
2 Years
$123,526
6 Years
$163,620
10+ Years
Median Salary
Military Details
What Service Branches offer this role?
Is this a staff or leadership role?
Officers are service members who plan, direct operations and manage enlisted personnel, developing a broad range of leadership-related skills.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer PathsWhat does the training for this role entail?
Job training for physician assistants primarily consists of classroom instruction, including practice in providing patient healthcare, and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Physician assistants often have the opportunity to teach, research, and learn at various health education programs. Like other officers working in healthcare, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, orientation to military structure, healthcare and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training may include:
- Fundamental medical care procedures
- Principles of behavioral and dental science
- Healthcare administration techniques
Education
What level of education do professionals in this role have?
Which college majors best prepare you for this role?
- Physician Associate/Assistant
Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree
The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For CollegeSkills and Interest
What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
What personality traits help people thrive in this role?
Social
You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.
Investigative
You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.
Conventional
You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.
RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.
Take the RIASEC Test