Many factors may influence a physician associate’s salary. PAs start off on a Band 7 NHS pay, which is roughly around £41,000 for a 37.5-hour work week.

Experience
The salary typically increases with increasing years of experience. 5+ years can easily guarantee a salary of £47k upwards.

Taking on Additional Responsibility
Generally, those with more experience can apply for positions with greater responsibility. With greater responsibility comes a greater pay cheque. Those who pursue additional certifications or specialise in a particular area may also earn significantly higher salaries.

Switching Departments
Learning never ends in healthcare, and there will always be opportunities to move between departments and expand your knowledge and skills. Different departments may have different requirements and pay grades.

Contract
Most physician associates are salaried as employed by the National Health Service (NHS). Most PAs work on a fixed contract, whether part-time or full-time and may work on a rota. They will be given a fixed number of days for annual leave- these days will be paid. Additionally, there may be opportunities to work overtime or late shifts at a higher pay rate.

Sector
There will typically be two main pathways:

-Primary Care

-Secondary Care

Primary care involves GP practices, assessment clinics, health facilities, or locally accessible clinics.
Secondary care involves additional services, which include hospital care, out-patient clinics, specialist care, etc…

There is also the option to work within the community, which can include domiciliary care, where healthcare workers visit a patient and provide care in the patient’s home. The variety of roles, departments, and types of patients you choose to work with will make each and every day different.

Location
When researching physician associate salaries, it is important to note that areas with high health needs or underprivileged areas may offer unique opportunities—and higher pay—for qualified professionals.