Orthopedic PA Salary Guide

While the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report on orthopedic PAs specifically, the  average annual PA salary is $126,010 per year in the U.S. However, PAs can make a total of $134,000 per year, according to Medscape’s 2023 physician assistant compensation report.  This provides valuable insight into the possible annual compensation for orthopedic PAs. 

Medscape also reports that 55% of PAs experienced an increase in gross income from last year, making this a lucrative profession. Also, the United States Bureau of Statistics reports a 27% increase in PA jobs within the next decade, which is roughly 9 times than the national average.

Locum tenens orthopedic PAs can make upwards of $112 per hour on average, however, there are many factors that impact rates including location, years of experience, and the level of demand.

If you were to extrapolate that rate over a year (at 40 hours per week), the average locum salary comes out to around $232,960

That means locum tenens orthopedic PAs can make up to 84% more than the average provider. However, making direct salary comparisons can be complicated. While perm orthopedic PAs are more likely to be salaried, locum tenens orthopedic PAs are independent contractors earning an hourly rate, which can vary based on which assignments they take in a year. 

Furthermore, because locum tenens orthopedic PAs are paid by the hour, the hours they work are directly reflected in their pay, while a salaried orthopedic PAs additional hours may not be reflected in their salary.

Finally, paid time off and insurance may be reflected in the perm orthopedic PAs salary structure, but locum tenens providers do have options when it comes to health insurance.

The most recent state breakdown of PA salaries comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, though the BLS was not able to collect enough data for all 50 states. While the BLS did not provide for orthopedic  PAs specifically, the top 5 highest paying states for PA salaries include:

• Alaska (PA Salary of $131,340- $145,390) 
• California (PA Salary of $131,340- $145,390) 
• Connecticut (PA Salary of $131,340- $145,390) 
• Nevada (PA Salary of $131,340- $145,390) 
• Washington (PA Salary of $131,340- $145,390)

The American Associates of Physician Associates did not feature orthopedic PAs in their highest paying specialties report, however pediatric PA salaries are comparable to specialized features on the list. The top five highest earning specialties (cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery, dermatology, emergency medicine, occupational, medicine, and critical care) earned up to $152,000 in annual compensation.  

The average PA salary increased by 4% from 2022 to 2023. Based on this data, pediatric PAs can expect to make $139,360 in annual compensation in 2024. Also, Medscape reports that 59% of PAs had an increase in their annual salaries from the previous year, indicating that orthopedic PA salaries will continue to rise in the future.