In the face of a shortage of mental healthcare providers, experts predict that the increase in physician assistants and nurse practitioners providing mental health support is here to stay.
The roles of nurse practitioner and physician assistant are two of the fastest-growing and top-rated jobs in healthcare.Between 2021 and 2031, nurse practitioner jobs are expected to have increased by 46 percent, while physician assistant positions are projected to jump 28 percent, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Nurse practitioner was ranked the second-best job in healthcare and physician assistant ranked fourth, according to a U.S. News & World Report list. Physician dropped to the sixth spot in the latest rankings.
The average annual salary of a psychiatric nurse practitioner is $114,790 and the average among psychiatric physician assistants is $105,954, according to data from salary.com.
Here is the average yearly salary ranges of psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants by percentile:
|
Psychiatric nurse practitioner |
|
|
Percentile |
Average annual salary |
|
10% |
$91,521 |
|
25% |
$102,610 |
|
50% (Median) |
$114,790 |
|
75% |
$125,910 |
| 90% | $136,034 |
|
Psychiatric physician assistant |
|
|
Percentile |
Average annual salary |
|
10% |
$89,680 |
|
25% |
$97,530 |
|
50% (median) |
$105,954 |
|
75% |
$116,818 |
| 90% | $126,710 |
A survey of providers found that 48 percent of all nurse practitioners said they feel satisfied with their income, whereas 56 percent of all physician assistants said they that they feel fairly compensated, according to data from Medscape's APRN and Physician Assistant Compensation reports.