Orthopedic physician assistants normally work with orthopedists who perform surgeries on and otherwise treat patients with conditions involving joints, bones and other components of the musculoskeletal system. In addition to assisting in the operating room, these assistants may conduct physicals of patients to assess wellness. In the United States, the mean pay for orthopedic physician assistants stands at $96,778. These professionals earn, on a mean level, C$128,770 ($100,095 USD) in Canada, £70,706 ($95,424 USD) in the United Kingdom, and AU$187,209 ($139,663 USD) in Australia. An orthopedic physician assistant salary is, on average, NZD$157,042 ($107,831 USD) in New Zealand.
How Much Does a Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary Make?
| Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand |
| Annual Salary | $96,778 | C$128,770 | £70,706 | AU$187,209 | NZD$157,042 |
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary Determinant Factors
Orthopedic physician assistants earn pay based upon the particular setting. Those who work in the private sector on the whole make more than those working under the auspices of public health systems such as the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. Certain sectors within healthcare they pay more than others.
As with other advanced skilled professionals in healthcare, orthopedic physician assistants can enhance their pay significantly by accumulating experience. In many cases, the difference between new orthopedic physician assistants and those with experience can vary to a broad degree, though not as much as fully licensed specialists in orthopedics.
1. How Much Does a Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary Make by Country?
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary in US
PayScale reports a mean salary of $96,778 for orthopedic physician assistants in the United States. The pay range starts at $77,381 and reaches a peak of $131,387.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary in Canada
According to salary expert, the main pay stands at C$128,770 for orthopedic physician assistants in Canada. At the lower end of the payscale, the mean is C$89,211. Those on the upper end make on average C$160,345.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary in UK
Orthopedic physician assistants in the United Kingdom enjoy a mean pay of 70,706, as reported by SalaryExpert. Pay runs from 48,985 to £88,403.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary in Australia
For an orthopedic physician assistant in Australia, the mean salary sits at AU$187,209. Pay starts at AU$129,908 and climbs to AU$233,492.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary in New Zealand
According to SalaryExpert, the mean salary comes to NZD$157,042 for orthopedic physician assistants in New Zealand. Earnings span from NZD$108,888 to NZD$195,711.
2. How Much Does an Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary Make According to Experience?
New orthopedic physician assistants in the United States earn on a mean basis $90,000. With five to ten years experience, such an assistant can fetch on average $107,000. Those with ten to 20 years in the field can anticipate a mean pay of $115,000. With over 20 years of experience, the mean ascends to $123,000.
In Canada, having three or less years of experience means an average salary of C$89,211. Orthopedic physician assistants with at least eight years in the field earn C$160,345 per year on average, according to SalaryExpert. Orthopedic physician assistants in the United Kingdom start on a mean basis at 48,985 and, at senior-level, fetch on average 88,403. SalaryExpert puts the entry-level average at AU$129,908 and the number for those with eight or more years of experience at AU$233,492.
In New Zealand, orthopedic physician assistant pay runs on a mean basis at NZD$108,888 for those with three or less years of experience. With at least eight years in the profession, average pay rises to NZD$195,711.
3. How Much Does an Orthopedic Physician Assistant Salary Make According to Work Environment?
The pay for physician assistants overall can provide a good guide four how pay differs by setting. For the places in which orthopedic physician assistants are likely to work, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean pay of $110,510 for physician assistants in “Outpatient Care Centers.” The mean stands at $104,020 for those working in “Offices of Physicians” and $106,240 for those employed in “General Medical and Surgical Hospitals.”
In the United Kingdom, orthopedic physician assistants often work under the National Health Service as physician associates. These professionals are paid on Band 7, which translates to a salary range of 31,696 to 41,787 salaries can run higher for those who work in healthcare establishments not funded or run by the National Health Service.
Working Hours
Generally, orthopedic physician assistants work full-time. To be available for emergencies, these professionals often spend several hours each month on call.
The type of work environment often determines the shifts. Orthopedic pediatric assistants who work in hospitals most likely have evenings and weekends and may need to be available on holidays and other irregular times for emergencies. In an orthopedic office, the work schedule normally follows more traditional weekday in daytime hours.
Bonuses and Benefits
Orthopedic physician assistants have opportunities for compensation and job benefits beyond the base salary. For Orthopedic physician assistants in the United States, bonuses range from $1,214 to as much as $24,000. Those who participate in profit sharing plans can earn an additional $974 to $16,409. Payscale reports that nearly nine out of every ten have medical coverage, while the rate stands at 68 percent for dental coverage and 52 percent for vision benefits.
SalaryExpert reports a mean bonus of C$3,090 for orthopedic physician assistants in Canada.The figure stands at £1,697 for those in the United Kingdom, AU$4,493 for those in Australia, and NZD$3,769 for those in New Zealand.
Career Prospects
Those aspiring to become orthopedic physician assistants should see significant demand for their services across the board. The physician assistants field can free orthopedic specialists to concentrate on task and services that they otherwise may not be able to perform thoroughly. Although orthopedic and other physician assistants work under supervision, they can perform some limited treatments and lighten not only the workload but make up for shortages in orthopedic and other physicians.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physician assistants overall should increase from 106,200 in 2016 to 145,900 by 2026. This represents a 37 percent jump in the expected employment of these professionals.
The National Health Service reports a projected 220 percent increase in the training opportunities for aspiring Physician Associates in the United Kingdom during 2016/ 2017. This is reflective of the significant demand for these professionals.
Despite the need, prospects may prove thin at least in the short-term in some countries. This is because the physician assistant field is considered emerging and regulatory bodies have not fully grasped what level of autonomy non Physicians should have. For instance, according to the Queensland government, Australia had approximately 40 physician assistants trained in the country as of May 2015. This stands in stark contrast to the estimated 98,470 practicing in the United States at that time. Unlike Australia, the United States has used physician assistants since the 1960s.
Rural and other unserved areas may particularly benefit from having physician assistants. In fact, the position was created to address orthopedic and other healthcare shortages in these rural and remote areas.
Conclusion
Thanks to the level of education, training and at least limited discretion and Performing assessments, orthopedic physician assistants can earn significant amounts of pay. In places where the physician assistant field is new, job opportunities may prove fairly limited. Where the profession has gained longevity, aspiring orthopedic physician assistants may find more opportunities.
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