National Salary Overview
VS
Physicists earns $17,712 more (13.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$136,050
$153,762
Average (Mean) Salary
$137,335
$164,071
Total Employment
162,150
20,040
States with Higher Pay
11
32
Salary by State: Physician Assistants vs Physicists
Showing 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. Physician Assistants pays more in 11 states; Physicists pays more in 32.
| State | Physician Assistants | Physicists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $104,960 | $139,330 | $-34,370 | ||
| Arizona | $134,650 | $130,500 | +$4,150 | ||
| Arkansas | $118,430 | $135,820 | $-17,390 | ||
| California | $165,650 | $207,490 | $-41,840 | ||
| Colorado | $134,540 | $104,580 | +$29,960 | ||
| Connecticut | $139,860 | $180,300 | $-40,440 | ||
| Delaware | $139,350 | $82,590 | +$56,760 | ||
| District of Columbia | $135,140 | $157,040 | $-21,900 | ||
| Florida | $129,620 | $225,390 | $-95,770 | ||
| Georgia | $115,390 | $144,870 | $-29,480 | ||
| Hawaii | $164,050 | $117,190 | +$46,860 | ||
| Idaho | $133,790 | $135,150 | $-1,360 | ||
| Illinois | $131,950 | $137,140 | $-5,190 | ||
| Indiana | $132,050 | $105,940 | +$26,110 | ||
| Iowa | $134,770 | $178,110 | $-43,340 | ||
| Kentucky | $120,760 | $180,910 | $-60,150 | ||
| Louisiana | $128,870 | $166,240 | $-37,370 | ||
| Maryland | $137,560 | $174,390 | $-36,830 | ||
| Massachusetts | $142,410 | $106,410 | +$36,000 | ||
| Michigan | $131,510 | $94,520 | +$36,990 | ||
| Minnesota | $141,190 | $171,220 | $-30,030 | ||
| Mississippi | $105,920 | $129,970 | $-24,050 | ||
| Missouri | $135,130 | $140,460 | $-5,330 | ||
| Montana | $141,470 | $103,800 | +$37,670 | ||
| Nevada | $134,660 | $154,030 | $-19,370 | ||
| New Hampshire | $150,960 | $214,030 | $-63,070 | ||
| New Jersey | $165,690 | $163,270 | +$2,420 | ||
| New Mexico | $139,920 | $165,340 | $-25,420 | ||
| New York | $160,880 | $181,970 | $-21,090 | ||
| North Carolina | $129,360 | $174,180 | $-44,820 | ||
| Ohio | $132,090 | $162,900 | $-30,810 | ||
| Oklahoma | $136,550 | $200,050 | $-63,500 | ||
| Oregon | $155,780 | $200,320 | $-44,540 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $127,070 | $210,990 | $-83,920 | ||
| Rhode Island | $139,930 | $155,150 | $-15,220 | ||
| South Carolina | $122,490 | $138,400 | $-15,910 | ||
| South Dakota | $133,200 | $83,050 | +$50,150 | ||
| Tennessee | $118,240 | $165,010 | $-46,770 | ||
| Texas | $134,550 | $184,040 | $-49,490 | ||
| Utah | $134,740 | $156,760 | $-22,020 | ||
| Virginia | $135,940 | $145,040 | $-9,100 | ||
| Washington | $164,360 | $134,790 | +$29,570 | ||
| Wisconsin | $133,950 | $173,120 | $-39,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Physician Assistants vs Physicists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Physician Assistants or Physicists?
On average across all states, a Physicists earns more than a Physician Assistants. The national median salary difference is $17,712 (13.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Physician Assistants earn more than a Physicists?
A Physician Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Physicists in 11 out of 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physicists pays more in 32 states.
What is the median salary for a Physician Assistants vs Physicists?
The national median salary for a Physician Assistants is $136,050 per year, compared to $153,762 for a Physicists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Physician Assistants or Physicists?
There are more people employed as Physician Assistants. BLS reports approximately 162,150 Physician Assistants positions and 20,040 Physicists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Physician Assistants or Physicists?
Both Physician Assistants and Physicists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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