The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.
Employment
Major employers:
- Doctors' offices
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
Outlook
Demand for this career is very strong. Growth is expected as the aging population gets larger and the need for medical procedures increases. More physicians are specializing and physician assistants are providing more primary care services.
Job prospects are particularly good in rural and other underserved areas. Employment opportunities are best in states that allow PAs a broader range of duties, such as the ability to prescribe medications.
Physician Assistants (CIS 100156)
| Location | Employment | & | Growth | >>>> | Annual openings | |
| This occupation |
All occupations |
|||||
| Illinois |
4,307 Medium |
& |
24.4% |
8.2% |
>>>> |
372 Moderate |
| Champaign Area |
186 Medium |
& |
31.7% |
5.2% |
>>>> |
17 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
67 Small |
& |
16.4% |
2.9% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Cook County |
1,782 Medium |
& |
23.9% |
9.2% |
>>>> |
153 Few |
| Decatur Area |
34 Very small |
& |
26.5% |
3.8% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
196 Small |
& |
7.1% |
10.3% |
>>>> |
12 Very few |
| Du Page County |
475 Medium |
& |
35.2% |
8.8% |
>>>> |
48 Few |
| Edwardsville Area |
73 Small |
& |
53.4% |
12.4% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
16 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
-0.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
59 Small |
& |
23.7% |
6.0% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Lake County |
174 Small |
& |
13.8% |
11.7% |
>>>> |
12 Very few |
| McHenry County |
47 Very small |
& |
8.5% |
7.6% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
112 Small |
& |
20.5% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
50 Very small |
& |
24.0% |
4.3% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
232 Medium |
& |
19.4% |
4.5% |
>>>> |
18 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
65 Small |
& |
23.1% |
3.5% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
70 Small |
& |
15.7% |
5.6% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Rockford Area |
169 Medium |
& |
28.4% |
6.6% |
>>>> |
16 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
22 Very small |
& |
13.6% |
1.1% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Springfield Area |
221 Medium |
& |
29.4% |
4.6% |
>>>> |
20 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
100 Small |
& |
14.0% |
0.9% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Vermilion County |
18 Very small |
& |
5.6% |
-0.5% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Will County |
124 Small |
& |
39.5% |
14.9% |
>>>> |
13 Very few |
| United States |
148,000 Medium |
& |
26.6% |
2.8% |
>>>> |
12,200 Few |