A trauma physician assistant works in critical care and emergency settings with trauma nurses, trauma surgeons and other healthcare professionals. In the US, a trauma physician assistant salary is more than $105,000 per year compared to AU$157,000 ($121,560 USD) in Australia and NZ$132,000 ($96,133 USD) in New Zealand. Those in Canada earn about C$108,000 ($83,875 USD) per year, followed by £59,000 ($73,763 USD) in the UK, R424,000 ($36,359 USD) in South Africa and Rs8,31,000 ($12,827 USD) in India. Earning potential varies for trauma physician assistants based on geographic region, professional experience, and work setting as further explained in this guide.
How Much Does Trauma Physician Assistant Make per Year?
The chart below displays annual and hourly wages trauma physician assistants in select countries worldwide.
| Trauma Physician Assistant Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa |
| Hourly Wage | $51 | C$52 | £29 | AU$76 | NZ$63 | Rs399 | R204 |
| Annual Wage | $105,489 | C$108,084 ($83,875 USD) |
£59,348 ($73,763 USD) |
AU$157,053 ($121,560 USD) |
NZ$131,780 ($96,133 USD) |
Rs8,30,819 ($12,827 USD) |
R424,219 ($36,359 USD) |
Factors that Influence the Trauma Physician Assistant Salary
While geographic region strongly affects earning potential for trauma physician assistants, professional experience and work setting also influence incomes. Information on salary and career insight for this healthcare position are provided in this guide.
1. Geographic Area
Trauma Physician Assistant Salary in US
In the US, trauma physician assistants see annual pay that exceeds $105,000 in base salary and another $2,000 or more in bonus pay. Hourly wage earners receive an average of $51 per hour. On average, entry level annual pay can reach $74,000 compared to more than $131,000 per year for senior level positions.
Trauma Physician Assistant Salary in Canada
Trauma physician assistants in Canada earn an average annual salary of more than C$108,000, equating to about C$52 per hour. Some employers offer bonus income that can potentially add another C$2,100 or more to overall earnings. Early career trauma physician assistants earn close to C$76,000 annually, while senior level professionals see well over C$134,000 per year.
Trauma Physician Assistant Salary in UK
Trauma physician assistants in the UK earn well over £59,000 per year, or £29 per hour, with another £1,200 possible in bonus pay. Trauma physician assistant with up to three years’ experience can expect an average annual salary of more than £41,000, increasing with experience to just under £74,000 annually for senior level positions.
Trauma Physician Assistant Salary in Australia
Annual compensation for trauma physician assistants in Australia includes about AU$157,000 in base salary and an additional AU$3,100 in bonus income. Those paid an hourly wage receive an average of AU$76 per hour. Entry level positions garner an annual salary of about AU$110,000 while senior level positions offer well over AU$195,000 per year.
Trauma Physician Assistant Salary in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the average annual salary is just under NZ$132,000 per year, or NZ$63 per hour, with another NZ$2,600 possible in bonus income. Early career trauma physician assistants earn more than NZ$92,000 per year, increasing throughout their career to an annual salary of nearly NZ$164,000.
Trauma Physician Assistant Salary in India
Trauma physician assistants in India earn roughly Rs8,31,000 per year, and another Rs17,000 is possible in bonus income pay. The average hourly wage is Rs399 per hour. Entry level pay is just under Rs5,90,000 annually, while senior level positions garner an average annual salary of about Rs10,48,000.
Trauma Physician Assistant Salary in South Africa
Trauma physician assistants in South Africa earn more than R424,000 in annual base salary, plus an additional R8,400 or more in bonus pay. Hourly wage earners see about R204 per hour. While entry level trauma physician assistants earn R299,000 annually, their senior level colleagues see annual pay that exceeds R531,000 per year.
2. Experience
While physician assistants earn solid starting salaries, the gap between entry level and senior level pay is about 77% worldwide. This equates to about $57,000 in additional annual pay for senior level employees in the US compared to their entry level counterparts. In Australia, where annual pay is among the highest, senior level professionals earn about AU$85,000 more per year, and in India, where earning potential is on the lower end of the pay scale, senior level professionals earn about Rs4,58,000 more per year.
3. Industry
Due to the critical care provided by trauma physician assistants, their work most often takes place in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and disaster areas. With little variance in work setting in this field, annual salary does not see wide variance from work setting to work setting; however, employment in nonprofit and public-sector organizations may offer less bonus income potential compared to for-profit and private-sector organizations.
Working Hours
Most trauma physician assistants work full-time schedules with between 36 to 40 hours per week, but there are part-time positions available. Trauma physician assistants may experience varied work schedules that span any day of week or time of day, including holidays, as emergency situations can occur at any time. Additionally, on-call hours are often required.
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
Benefits packages for trauma physician assistants typically include healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and sometimes vision care, and paid time off. Some employers offer bonus income and hiring bonuses may be available in areas with shortages among healthcare providers. Other benefits may include retirement plans, paid training required to maintain licensure, and allowances for meals. Part-time employees may be ineligible for full benefits and bonus pay.
Job Outlook
Due to the rising need for healthcare professionals, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 37% growth rate in physician assistants, including those working in a trauma setting, between 2016 and 2026. A career as a trauma physician assistant requires a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, such as nursing, followed by a master’s degree and successful completion of a licensing exam, equivalent to about six years of education. Additional training in the work setting follows. Most regions require licensing and registration with the appropriate governing body.
Conclusion
Trauma physician assistants earn solid incomes, and while pay is less than licensed physicians, there are fewer educational and training requirements for this career. Most are employed full-time hours, but there are part-time employment opportunities. A comprehensive benefits and bonus package is typically offered to trauma physician assistants. As demand increases for healthcare professionals, growth in this field is expected to remain at a strong level that is much faster than average for all occupations, maintaining strong salaries and employment options.
Leave a Reply