Newly Released Data Indicates Certified PAs Poised to Meet Current and Future Health Care Demands

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., April 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth consecutive year, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) has published the Statistical Report of Certified Physician Assistants, the most comprehensive report of PA data nationwide.

The most recent publication demonstrates the growth of the profession as the baby boomers age into retirement and fewer health providers enter primary care disciplines.

From 2013 to 2018 the rate of Certified PAs in the workplace increased from 31 to 40 per 100,000 U.S. residents. The PA workforce is expected to continue its growth into the future as the number of active PA programs increased from 180 in 2013 to 238 in 2018.

“When we began publishing the Statistical Report of Certified PAs in 2013 there were just over 95,500 Certified PAs in practice,” said NCCPA President and CEO Dawn Morton-Rias.

“As of 2018 there are 131,000 Certified PAs. These professionals have completed a comprehensive education and clinical training process for entry to the profession and maintain high standards of clinical knowledge and skills throughout their careers, making them uniquely positioned to serve in this moment and well into the future.”

Additional key findings from the 2018 report include:

• Certified PAs worked an average of 40.37 hours and saw an average of 73 patients per week.
• Collectively, Certified PAs saw 9.1 million patients per week.
• 22.8 percent of Certified PAs can communicate with patients in another language.
• For the first time in six years, more PAs are practicing in a hospital setting versus an office-based private practice.
• The average salary for Certified PAs increased by 15.7 percent in the last six years, with the average salary in 2018 being $110,567. The highest paid Certified PAs were in dermatology and critical care medicine.

Physician assistant is consistently ranked as one of the top jobs in America, most recently by U.S. News and World Report as #1 in the Best Health Care Jobs of 2019.

About the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is the only certifying organization for the 131,000 physician assistants (PAs) in the United States. The PA-C credential is awarded by NCCPA to PAs who fulfill certification, certification maintenance and recertification requirements. NCCPA also administers the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) program for experienced, Certified PAs practicing in seven specialties. For more information, visit http://www.nccpa.net.

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SOURCE National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants