Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Physician Assistant vs Veterinarian salary

In United States, a physician assistant earns about 23% more than a veterinarian $159,000 vs $129,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$159,000/yr
Monthly
$13,300
Hourly
$76
Range
$116,100$211,500
10-yr outlook
+27%
Healthcare
Veterinarian
$129,000/yr
Monthly
$10,800
Hourly
$62
Range
$90,700$175,800
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysician AssistantVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$116,100$90,700
25th$137,500$109,800
Median$159,000$129,000
75th$185,200$152,400
Senior (90th)$211,500$175,800

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician assistant or veterinarian earn more in United States?
A physician assistant earns more, at about $159,000 per year vs $129,000 for a veterinarian — roughly 23% ($30,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A physician assistant typically earns $116,100–$211,500, while a veterinarian earns $90,700–$175,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physician assistant averages about $13,300 and a veterinarian about $10,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a physician assistant earns about $116,100 while a veterinarian earns about $90,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a physician assistant earns about $211,500 while a veterinarian earns about $175,800 per year.
Are physician assistant and veterinarian similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.