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Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma in the United States is $147,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $166,131
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $136,600 to $157,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,585
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salaries

A Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $143,988
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $144,809
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $145,958
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $147,890
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,785
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$143,988
Intermediate Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$144,809
Senior Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$145,958
Specialist Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$147,890
Expert Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$150,785
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How Do Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Traumas. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $163,400.
  • California: $162,800.
  • Massachusetts: $160,700.

Top Paying Cities for Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Traumas

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $186,200
  • San Francisco: $184,100
  • Oakland: $180,300

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 4.32% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Acute Care (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): Acute care is a branch of secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery. In medical terms, care for acute health conditions is the opposite from chronic care, or longer term care. Acute care services are generally delivered by teams of health care professionals from a range of medical and surgical specialties. Acute care may require a stay in a hospital emergency department, ambulatory surgery center, urgent care centre or other short-term stay facility, along with the assistance of diagnostic services, surgery, or follow-up outpatient care in the community. Hospital-based acute inpatient care typically has the goal of discharging patients as soon as they are deemed healthy and stable. Acute care settings include emergency department, intensive care, coronary care, cardiology, neonatal intensive care, and many general areas where the patient could become acutely unwell and require stabilization and transfer to another higher dependency unit for further treatment.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.64% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 4.32%
Acute Care 3.6%
CPR 2.64%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma's salary.

  • CVS: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CVS $175,644
19%
Accountability $162,360
10%
Innovation $162,360
10%
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Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $156,506. While startup companies pay approximate $133,387.

Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $133,387
Growth Stage 51~500 $140,816
Established 501~5000 $151,347
Enterprise 5000+ $156,506

Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$177,120$85.020%

Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$136,600
Average $147,600/year
$157,300
$11,383
Average $12,300/month
$13,108
$2,627
Average $2,838/week
$3,025
$66
Average $71/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $157,300 $13,108 $3,025 $76
Average $147,600 $12,300 $2,838 $71
25th Percentile $136,600 $11,383 $2,627 $66

Most common benefits for Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma

Here are companies hiring for Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Can you make $200,000 as a PA?

While the earning potential for a Certified Physician Assistant (PA) in Emergency & Trauma typically ranges from $132,300 to $164,200, reaching $200,000 is generally above the standard salary range. However, factors such as experience, location, and additional responsibilities may influence higher earnings in certain situations.

3. Do PAs make more than nurses?

Yes, physician assistants (PAs) generally earn more than registered nurses. For instance, Certified PAs in Emergency & Trauma have a salary range from $132,300 to $164,200, with a median salary of $145,800. In contrast, registered nurses typically earn less, highlighting the higher compensation for PAs in the healthcare field.

4. Can a PA make 300k a year?

While some Physician Assistants (PAs) can earn high salaries, the typical salary range for a Certified PA in Emergency & Trauma is between $132,300 and $164,200 annually, with a mid-salary of $145,800. Earning $300,000 a year is uncommon and typically requires specialized roles or additional responsibilities.

5. What is the highest paid type of PA?

The highest paid type of Physician Assistant (PA) is in the Emergency & Trauma specialty, with a salary range from $132,300 to $164,200. The median salary for this specialty is approximately $145,800, reflecting the competitive nature of the field and the critical care responsibilities involved.

6. Are PA salaries increasing?

Yes, PA salaries are increasing. For Certified Physician Assistants in Emergency & Trauma, the minimum salary is $132,300, the mid-salary is $145,800, and the maximum salary reaches $164,200. This reflects a positive trend in compensation, indicating growth in the field.

7. How much do trauma physician assistants make?

As of January 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Physician Assistant - Emergency & Trauma is approximately $145,800. Salaries typically range from a minimum of $132,300 to a maximum of $164,200, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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