Physician Assistant vs Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists earn $129,620 more than physician assistants on average (102.9% higher). Compare salaries, skills, education, and career outlook side by side.
Physician Assistant
$126,010
median salary
Psychiatrist
$255,630
median salary
Salary Comparison
| Metric | Physician Assistant | Psychiatrist |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $126,010 | $255,630 |
| Mean Salary | $130,020 | $270,400 |
| Entry Level | $88,000 | $125,000 |
| Mid Level | $126,000 | $258,000 |
| Senior Level | $162,000 | $385,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $84,000 | $120,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,000 | $400,000 |
Career Details
Physician Assistant Healthcare
Physician assistants practice medicine under physician supervision, examining patients, diagnosing conditions, prescribing treatments, and assisting in surgical procedures.
Education Master's degree
Growth Rate 28% (much faster than average)
Total Employed 148,000
Key Skills
Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis
Typical Duties
- Conduct physical examinations and patient histories
- Diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries
- Prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests
- Assist in surgical procedures and post-operative care
- Provide patient education and preventive health counseling
Psychiatrist Healthcare
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health disorders using medication management, psychotherapy, and other approaches.
Education Doctoral degree
Growth Rate 7% (faster than average)
Total Employed 27,500
Key Skills
PsychiatryPsychopharmacologyCBT/DBTDiagnosisPatient AssessmentDocumentation
Typical Duties
- Diagnose mental health disorders
- Prescribe psychiatric medications
- Provide psychotherapy
- Develop treatment plans
- Consult with other providers
Top 5 Paying States
Summary: Physician Assistant vs Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists earn a median salary of $255,630 compared to $126,010 for physician assistants — a difference of $129,620 (102.9%). However, physician assistant has stronger job growth at 28% vs 7%.