Is There a Financial Benefit to Earn Doctorate Degree for Physician Associates?

In 2023, only a small percentage (2.3%) of certified Physician Assistants (PAs) held a doctorate degree. No study so far has explored whether a PA doctorate degree makes economic sense or a good return on investment across all certified PAs, which is an important consideration for a practicing PA or a PA student considering a post-master's degree. This article aims to provide an overview of a survey driven salary trends for PAs holding doctorate degrees compared to those with other degrees. The survey analysis involving over 140,000 currently certified PAs reveals that those who possess a doctorate degree tend to earn on average $14,010 more annually than those without a doctorate degree. This salary disparity is statistically significant (P<0.001), indicating that post-master's education is correlated with increased earning potential. The study further highlights the potential economic advantages and limitations of pursuing a doctorate degree and explores available market of providers who offer PA doctorate degrees across the country with respective tuition costs. Based on findings of this paper, there is an economic advantage of pursuing a doctorate degree; however, the decision to pursue an advanced degree should be weighed carefully, considering factors beyond just salary, such as cost, duration, type of clinical employment, and other potential career opportunities.