Premed students have the option to pursue many different career paths following their undergraduate education. Two of those paths are Doctor of Medicine (MD), which contains many specialties, and Physician Assistant (PA). There are many factors to consider when deciding which career you would like to train for, including years of training, lifestyle, pay, and ability to specialize.
The education required to earn an MD degree and specialization often takes at least 11 years. After the typical four years of undergraduate training for a Bachelor’s, physicians-in-training will attend medical school. Although some schools provide accelerated degree programs, most will take another four years. After receiving an MD, physicians specialize in a particular medical field. At this point, physicians will be paid for their training, starting at an average of $64,000 annually, with salaries rising each year of their residency. Residencies are three years or longer, depending on the specialty. Following residency, physicians can choose to specialize further through a fellowship, which usually takes one to three more years of education.
PAs go through six to ten years of education and training. Like prospective MDs, PA students must first earn a Bachelor’s degree. Here, the path begins to differ. Many PA degree programs require 1,000 to 2,000 hours of paid healthcare experience, so prospective PAs should seek jobs such as EMT or medical assistant to accumulate those hours. Then, PAs-in-training should expect a two to three-year program to obtain a Master of Science (MS) in a physician assistant program, and graduates will take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and get licensed in the state where they want to work.
Both careers require a dedication to learning and many years of hard work. Deciding how many years you are willing to continue your education is a deeply personal question that requires introspection and consideration of your life goals.
An essential thing to consider when deciding on your career path is lifestyle or work-life balance. For MDs, this facet is highly varied by specialty. But, on average, medical doctors tend to work longer than PAs, and doctors in many specialties have to be on call, which can bring them to work outside regular working hours. If you know which specialty you would be interested in, do extra research for that specialty. The work-life balance of some specialties is notoriously bad, while others allow incredible freedom. On the other hand, PAs are more likely to have an average 40-hour work week and a regular schedule such as a “9 to 5.” However, PAs may be required to be on call occasionally.
But what is the difference in pay between PAs and MDs? For the MDs, factoring in all specialties, doctors in the US make $352,000 per year on average. Non-specialists make an average of $265,000. Actual salaries vary significantly by specialty and location, ranging from $200,000 to nearly $800,000. For PAs, the average salary is around $121,000. Pay for PAs increases significantly over time, with entry-level PAs earning about $76,000 a year, while those with 20 or more years of experience average $162,000. When choosing between these paths, consider what compensation you would want to receive for your work, and remember to contrast that with how many years you would be willing to work and study before achieving your salary goals.
Specialties have been discussed several times, but this is one of the most critical factors in deciding between these careers. PAs have a shorter education focusing on skills for immediate patient care. PAs often work collaboratively with physicians in a supportive role, and their licenses have an inherent flexibility that allows them to transfer between medical specialties without additional training. Physicians, on the other hand, can receive deeply specialized training following medical school. They are trained to make complex medical decisions and take responsibility for patient care. If you have a deep passion for a particular area of medicine or feel that pursuing a medical niche would be fulfilling, becoming a medical doctor provides the opportunity for that type of work. If you prefer more flexibility and a supportive role, becoming a PA might be the better route.
Throughout your premedical journey, remember to check in with yourself. The number of years you were willing to continue your education as a first-year may have increased or decreased by the time you’re a senior. Conduct careful research into your goals to make sure that they are attainable and realistic for the field that you are pursuing. Good luck choosing your path forward and achieving your dreams!
Thank you for reading,
Ashby Glover
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