skip to main content

Military Physician Assistants

Military Career

General Information

Description

Physician assistants are nationally certified health professionals who provide primary medical care, including diagnosing and treating diseases, and prescribing medication. They often work under the direction of a physician. When a physician is unavailable, physician assistants serve as the authority on determining medical necessity, priority, and requirements for emergency care, stabilization, and patient evacuation.  

Explore this career outside the Military

Work Environment

Physician assistants work in hospitals and clinics on land and aboard ships.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure
No Information for this section

Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Officer
    • Managerial/professional
    • College degree required

Military Workforce

Physician Assistants in the Military

2,917

No Information for this section

Salary

Salary Information

Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$121,111

Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location. Learn more about Military benefits.

$41,853 - $292,243

No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Master's degree 81%
  • First professional degree 13%
  • Bachelor's degree 5%
  • High school 0%
  • Some college 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Military training

Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for physician assistants primarily consists of classroom instruction, including practice in providing patient healthcare, and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Physician assistants often have the opportunity to teach, research, and learn at various health education programs. Like other officers working in healthcare, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, orientation to military structure, healthcare and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include: Fundamental medical care proceduresPrinciples of behavioral and dental scienceHealthcare administration techniques

Read More

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Psychology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Biology

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

No Information for this section