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Career comparison

PA vs. RN

Physician assistant vs. registered nurse

Physician assistants earn more: a median of $135,880, $38,330 (39%) above registered nurses at $97,550.

Physician assistants have the stronger outlook: +21% projected growth through 2035, vs. +6%.

Getting in is slower for physician assistants: about 3.9 years vs. 1.5 years for someone with a bachelor's in another field.

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Registered nursePhysician assistant

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Physician assistantRegistered nurse
Median pay$135,880$97,550
Top 10% earn over$190,280$137,470
Growth to 2035+21%+6%
Openings per year11,500180,800
Jobs today168,9003,465,400
Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBachelor's degree
Time to qualify*3.9 years1.5 years
Training cost*$94K–$217K$41K–$92K

* Starting from a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.

The real difference

A PA is a higher level of practice than an RN. PAs examine patients, diagnose, order tests and prescribe, working with physicians. RNs assess and monitor patients, give treatments and carry out the care plan, but do not make medical diagnoses or prescribe. PAs need a master's degree (about two and a half years after a bachelor's, usually with required patient-care hours); RNs need an ADN or BSN and the NCLEX-RN. RNs who want to diagnose and prescribe usually weigh PA school against becoming a nurse practitioner.

Pay

Physician assistant

$135,88010% earn under $99,380 · middle half $120,670–$163,980 · top 10% over $190,280

Registered nurse

$97,55010% earn under $68,940 · middle half $80,330–$112,350 · top 10% over $137,470
Bar: middle 50% of workers. Line: 10th to 90th percentile. Dot: median. BLS OEWS, May 2025, national.

Getting in

Physician assistant

Entry education
Master's degree
On-the-job training
None
Prior experience
None

Required: PANCE certification exam · State PA license

Registered nurse

Entry education
Bachelor's degree
On-the-job training
None
Prior experience
None

Required: NCLEX-RN exam · State RN license

What the work is like

Physician assistantRegistered nurse

Dealing with the public

Rarely
Constantly

Unpleasant or angry people

Rarely
Constantly

Time pressure

Rarely
Constantly

Cost of a mistake

Minor
Severe

Freedom to make decisions

Little
A lot

Repeating the same tasks

Rarely
Constantly

Time sitting

Rarely
Constantly

Time standing

Rarely
Constantly

Hazardous conditions

Rarely
Constantly

Exposure to disease

Rarely
Constantly

Physician assistant: 68% usually work over 40 hours a weekRegistered nurse: 25% usually work over 40 hours a week

Average worker ratings, 1 to 5. O*NET 31.0 work context survey.

Physician assistant: core tasks

  • Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
  • Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
  • Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
  • Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
  • Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.

Registered nurse: core tasks

  • Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
  • Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
  • Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
  • Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
  • Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.

Skills: what carries over

Both rely on: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness.

New for a physician assistant moving to registered nurse: Coordination.

New for a registered nurse moving to physician assistant: Active Learning.

Interests (Holland codes): Physician assistant: Social, Investigative, Conventional. Registered nurse: Social, Conventional, Investigative.

Outlook to 2035, and AI

Physician assistant

+21%

much faster than average · 11,500 openings a year

BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.

Registered nurse

+6%

about as fast as average · 180,800 openings a year

BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.

Quoted notes: BLS Employment Projections, factors affecting occupational utilization (Table 1.12). Average growth across all jobs: +3.5%.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between a PA and an RN?

A PA is a higher level of practice than an RN. PAs examine patients, diagnose, order tests and prescribe, working with physicians. RNs assess and monitor patients, give treatments and carry out the care plan, but do not make medical diagnoses or prescribe. PAs need a master's degree (about two and a half years after a bachelor's, usually with required patient-care hours); RNs need an ADN or BSN and the NCLEX-RN. RNs who want to diagnose and prescribe usually weigh PA school against becoming a nurse practitioner.

Who makes more, a physician assistant or a registered nurse?

Physician assistants earn more: a median of $135,880, $38,330 (39%) above registered nurses at $97,550.

Which has the better job outlook?

Physician assistants have the stronger outlook: +21% projected growth through 2035, vs. +6%.

How long does it take to become a registered nurse?

For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 1.5 years, with tuition of roughly $40,500 to $91,500. Required: NCLEX-RN exam, State RN license.

How long does it take to become a physician assistant?

For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 3.9 years, with tuition of roughly $93,600 to $216,500. Required: PANCE certification exam, State PA license.

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