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 January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma in the United States is $147,400 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): $165,931
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $136,200 to $157,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,003
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View as table View as graph 25% $136,200 10% $126,003 90% $165,931 75% $157,100 $147,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $157,100 $13,092 $3,021 $76
Average $147,400 $12,283 $2,835 $71
25th Percentile $136,200 $11,350 $2,619 $65
Check out Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Job Openings in the United States
Physician Extender

Caldwell County Health Department - LENOIR, NC

Locum Physician Assistant

LocumTenens.com - MARYLAND, MD

Locum Physician Assistant

LocumTenens.com - MERIDIAN, MS

Locum Physician Assistant

Wellhart, LLC - MERIDIAN, MS

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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): $143,722
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $144,558
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $145,728
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $147,690
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,585
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$143,722
Intermediate Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$144,558
Senior Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$145,728
Specialist Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$147,690
Expert Level Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma$150,585
$143,722 0 yr
$144,558 < 2 yrs
$145,728 2-4 yrs
$147,690 5-8 yrs
$150,585 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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: $185,900
  • San Francisco: $184,100
  • Oakland: $180,000

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 4.32%
Acute Care 3.6%
CPR 2.64%
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
$175,406
19%
Accountability
$162,140
10%
Innovation
$162,140
10%
Emergency Medicine
$160,666
9%
Consulting
$156,244
6%
Collaborating
$154,770
5%
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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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma

Salaries for a Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $231,993 in 2023 to around $226,789 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Physician Assistant (PA)-Emergency & Trauma Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$231,993
2024
$237,504
2025
$226,789
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $231,993
2024 $237,504
2025 $226,789
2026
View More
2027
View More

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

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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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