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 |
4,959 Medium |
& |
20.2% |
2.7% |
>>>> |
369 Moderate |
| Champaign Area |
232 Medium |
& |
18.5% |
1.9% |
>>>> |
17 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
74 Small |
& |
14.9% |
-1.2% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Cook County |
2,098 Medium |
& |
18.7% |
3.0% |
>>>> |
152 Few |
| Decatur Area |
32 Very small |
& |
15.6% |
0.1% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
222 Small |
& |
29.3% |
4.0% |
>>>> |
19 Very few |
| Du Page County |
551 Medium |
& |
20.9% |
3.7% |
>>>> |
42 Few |
| Edwardsville Area |
105 Small |
& |
5.7% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
17 Very small |
& |
35.3% |
-2.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
68 Small |
& |
17.6% |
-0.1% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Lake County |
195 Small |
& |
20.0% |
2.6% |
>>>> |
15 Very few |
| McHenry County |
53 Very small |
& |
35.8% |
6.1% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
127 Medium |
& |
14.2% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
60 Small |
& |
28.3% |
5.1% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
263 Medium |
& |
20.9% |
1.3% |
>>>> |
20 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
72 Small |
& |
15.3% |
-1.6% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
74 Small |
& |
18.9% |
1.8% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Rockford Area |
182 Medium |
& |
19.8% |
2.4% |
>>>> |
14 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
31 Very small |
& |
25.8% |
-0.3% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Springfield Area |
237 Medium |
& |
18.1% |
-0.8% |
>>>> |
17 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
95 Small |
& |
32.6% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
8 Very few |
| Vermilion County |
20 Very small |
& |
25.0% |
-5.1% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Will County |
147 Small |
& |
32.7% |
5.4% |
>>>> |
14 Very few |
| United States |
162,700 Large |
& |
20.3% |
3.1% |
>>>> |
12,000 Few |