California’s PAs: Well-Paid But In Debt

The typical physician assistant practicing in California enjoys six-figure compensation, is juggling a significant student debt load and is more likely these days to be a woman and eyeing a career in emergency medicine or orthopedics than family practice. Those are among the findings of a sweeping survey of more than 3,400 physician assistants – nearly 40% of those practicing statewide – by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. It\'s the first survey undertaken by OSHPD since 1998.