Physician assistants held about 94,400 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most physician assistants were as follows:
Offices of physicians
57%
Hospitals; state, local, and private
22
Outpatient care centers
7
Government
3
Educational services; state, local, and private
3
Physician assistant work can be both physically and emotionally demanding. Physician assistants spend much of their time on their feet, making rounds and evaluating patients. Physician assistants who work in operating rooms often stand for extended periods.
Work Schedules
Most physician assistants work full time. About 1 out of 5 worked part time in 2014. In hospitals, physician assistants may work nights, weekends, or holidays. They may also be on call, meaning that they must be ready to respond to a work request with little notice.