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Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants SKILLS ... We provide excellent care for orthopaedic conditions, concerns and injuries of every kind.

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Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants SKILLS ... We provide excellent care for orthopaedic conditions, concerns and injuries of every kind.

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Orthopaedic Physician Assistant information

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$61.5K

$164.9K

$383.5K

How much do orthopaedic physician assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for orthopaedic physician assistant in the United States is $164,860.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $156,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges orthopaedic physician assistants face when assisting in surgical procedures?

Orthopaedic Physician Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing complex surgical instruments, maintaining sterile technique throughout lengthy procedures, and adapting quickly to the surgeon’s preferences. Additionally, they must ensure clear communication with the surgical team to anticipate needs and respond to unexpected situations. Building experience and staying current with new surgical technologies can help overcome these obstacles and contribute to a smoother, more efficient operating room environment.

What does an orthopaedic physician assistant do?

As an orthopaedic physician assistant, your job is to assist patients with exams and orthopaedic care. In this role, you may support an orthopaedic surgeon during surgeries, use tests to help determine what care a patient needs, and treat minor ailments that may occur after surgery. Orthopaedic physician assistants may be asked to work nights, weekends, or holidays to provide care for patients in the operating room (OR) or orthopaedic clinic, so the ability to adjust your schedule is essential to this role. You must be able to empathize with patients and provide emotional support before, during, and after treatments. In rare cases, you may help provide emergency treatment for patients who have suffered trauma that requires orthopaedic care.

What is an orthopaedic physician assistant?

An Orthopaedic Physician Assistant (PA) is a licensed healthcare professional who works under the supervision of orthopaedic surgeons to diagnose, treat, and manage musculoskeletal conditions. They assist in surgeries, perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans for patients with bone, joint, or muscle issues. Orthopaedic PAs play a critical role in patient care, helping improve access to orthopaedic services and enhancing the efficiency of orthopaedic teams.

What is the difference between Orthopaedic Physician Assistant vs Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner?

AspectOrthopaedic Physician AssistantOrthopaedic Nurse Practitioner
CredentialsMaster's degree, NCCPA certification, physician supervisionMaster's or Doctorate in Nursing, ANCC certification, independent practice with physician collaboration
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, orthopedic practices under physician supervisionHospitals, clinics, orthopedic settings with more autonomous roles
Roles & ResponsibilitiesAssist in surgeries, diagnose, treat musculoskeletal conditions, perform proceduresAssess, diagnose, manage musculoskeletal conditions, prescribe medications, perform procedures

While both roles focus on musculoskeletal care, Orthopaedic Physician Assistants typically work under physician supervision and assist in surgeries, whereas Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioners often have more autonomous practice and focus on patient management and treatment. Both are vital in orthopedic healthcare teams, but their scope and independence differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an orthopaedic physician assistant?

To thrive as an Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, you need a strong background in human anatomy, musculoskeletal assessment, and surgical assistance, typically supported by a master's degree from an accredited PA program and national certification (PA-C). Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), orthopedic imaging systems, and splinting or casting tools is essential. Exceptional communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help you effectively interact with patients, surgeons, and interdisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure optimal patient outcomes, efficient clinical workflows, and high standards of care in orthopedic settings.

What do orthopaedic physician assistants do in orthopedics?

Orthopaedic physician assistants in orthopedics assist surgeons with patient evaluations, perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and help develop treatment plans. They may also assist during surgeries, provide patient education, and manage postoperative care, often working closely with the healthcare team in clinical and surgical settings.

How much does an orthopaedic physician assistant make in PA?

An orthopaedic physician assistant in Pennsylvania typically earns between $80,000 and $110,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and work setting. They often work in hospitals, clinics, or orthopedic practices, requiring certification and clinical skills in musculoskeletal care.

What cities are hiring for Orthopaedic Physician Assistant jobs?

Cities with the most Orthopaedic Physician Assistant job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Orthopaedic Physician Assistant jobs?

The top employers for Orthopaedic Physician Assistant jobs are:

What states have the most Orthopaedic Physician Assistant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Orthopaedic Physician Assistant jobs include:

Infographic showing various Orthopaedic Physician Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 84% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $164,860 per year, or $79.3 per hour.

ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Tri-State Orthopaedics

Butler, PA • On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Tri-State Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, a well-respected and busy orthopaedic practice, is seeking a full-time Orthopaedic Physician Assistant. This position is primarily focused on seeing patients in the office, Monday through Friday, at our new Butler office location in the Clearview Medical Pavilion.

You will join a strong team of 16 Physician Assistants - 15 Orthopaedic PAs (including a "Coverage PA" who assists with vacations and OR support) and 1 Hospital PA dedicated to rounds/medical records.

Our practice offers excellent growth opportunities. We recently welcomed another Orthopaedic Surgeon to the group and continue to expand our orthopaedic urgent care services.

The PA role provides the opportunity to connect with patients one-on-one while collaborating closely with physicians across multiple orthopaedic subspecialties. Call is currently 1 in 16. Physicians take first call for ER/hospital cases, while PAs handle first call for patient calls/messages. Weekend and holiday call is paid and includes rounding and assisting with add-on cases. Weekday evening call is minimal and generally limited to answering patient messages. PAs with extensive orthopaedic experience may also choose to cover Ortho Urgent Care hours, which are compensated separately.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

- Office-based patient care at the Butler office (Clearview Medical Pavilion): H&Ps, follow-up care, postoperative management, casting/splinting, injections (including ultrasound-guided), EMR documentation, patient messages, and injection clinics.

- Hospital rounding and orthopaedic consults.

- Optional urgent care coverage (paid separately).

Qualifications:

- Minimum of 5 years of PA experience preferred.

- Surgical and orthopaedic experience required; prior orthopaedic experience strongly preferred.

- Organized, detail-oriented, and compassionate with excellent bedside manner and interpersonal skills.

- Proficiency with EMR systems required.

About Tri-State Orthopaedics:

We currently have five office locations in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas - McCandless, Seven Fields, Robinson Township, Fox Chapel and Butler. As an independent practice, we treat patients across all insurance types. Our team is on staff at UPMC Passavant, UPMC St. Margaret's, and AHN Wexford hospitals, as well as outpatient surgery centers at UPMC Harmar, AHN Wexford, and Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Surgical Suites.

If you would like to be a Member of our AMAZING Team, please reply here or you may apply on our website, www.tristateortho.com under the Careers tab. Another option would be to forward your resume and salary requirement to Sue Reighard, Human Resource Specialist, via fax at 412-369-0150 or via email at sreighard@tristateortho.com.