As stated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for Pathologists is $267,180, compared to $119,460 for Physician Assistants. This shows that the pay for Pathologists is much higher than for Physician Assistants.
However, it's worth mentioning that wages can vary depending on factors like location, experience, and the specific setting in which the employee works. As an example, Pathologists who work in California (with salary averaging $350,980) may earn more than those who work in Ohio ($167,180). And Physician Assistants in Connecticut earn 98% more on average compared to those in Arkansas.
Pathologists vs Physician Assistants overview
Pathologists and Physician Assistants are two important occupations in the Health Care Services industry. There is a common interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, as well as the average pay for each.
Pathologist job description
Alternative names: Physicians, Pathologists
Pathologists diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Pathologist education and experience
Most Pathologists (62%) have a Post-Doctoral Training. But this field also includes some employees who have a Doctoral Degree (29%) and a Master's Degree (6%). When it comes to experience, about a half of Pathologist occupations require a 4 to 6 years of previous work-related experience. A smaller portion of roles (17%) do not require any previous experience.
Pathologist average salary
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Pathologists employed by the United States in 2021 was 11,010, and they earned an average annual income of $267,180. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $63,340 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $208,000 or more.
Do Pathologists make good money?
Pathologists are typically paid well, since their mean salary is over three times above the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make almost three times more than the mean salary of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).
Pathologists are typically paid well, since their mean salary is over three times above the average pay in the United States ($58,260).
Physician Assistant job description
Physician Assistants provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Physician Assistant education and experience
Becoming a Physician Assistant typically involves completing a Master's Degree. However, among employees in this occupation, there are also some with a First Professional Degree (14%) and a Bachelor's Degree (5%). Regarding experience, 35% of Physician Assistant jobs require no previous experience. A smaller part of jobs (22%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.
Physician Assistant average salary
As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Physician Assistants employed in the United States was 132,940, and they earned an average of $119,460 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $77,940 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $164,620 or more. The average salary has grown by 2.9% compared the previous year.
Do Physician Assistants make good money?
Physician Assistants are usually paid well, as their average salary is 105% higher than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn 70% more than the average pay of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).
Physician Assistants are usually paid well, as their average salary is 105% higher than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).
Physician Assistants job growth
There has been a growth in the number of Physician Assistants being hired over the last two years. In 2021, there have been 7,660 more roles than the previous year nationwide, which marks a growth of 6.1%. The average job growth over the past 3 years has been 5%.
FAQ
Do Pathologists or Physician Assistants make more?
Pathologists make 124% more than Physician Assistants. The average annual salary for Physician Assistants is $119,460, while Pathologists earn $267,180 per year.
How long does it take to become a Pathologist vs Physician Assistant?
Pathologists typically need a Post-Doctoral Training. A Post-Doctoral Training itself usually takes between 9 months and 2 years to obtain. However, if we consider that a Doctoral Degree is required beforehand, it might take around 15 years to complete the full education. On the other hand, Physician Assistants typically need a Master's Degree. A Master's Degree itself usually takes between 2 years and 3 years to obtain. However, if we consider that a Bachelor's Degree is required beforehand, it might take around 7 years to complete the full education.
Is it harder to become a Pathologist vs Physician Assistant?
Becoming a Pathologist is much more difficult than becoming a Physician Assistant, since an additional 8 years of education are required.
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