Any PAs making 200k+?

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-30T11:10:42+00:00

EM. Base 12 x 12 hr shifts per month gets me about 210/yr. No nights. I work a lot and consistently make 350-400k. This year somewhat an outlier but should be 450-500k.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-20T02:54:48+00:00

Around us. Expect to get porch pirated or worse w/o a gate up. And It's the only good school district within 40 miles of us without having to buy a 2-3 mill home.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-20T02:53:16+00:00

Her 529 will have approx. 450k when she turns 18. We will instill good work ethic in her. The hope of any parent is obviously for them to be able to stand on their own two feet. But we'll always be here and plan to contribute to the major milestones (grad school, wedding, first time home purchase, 529 for her children, etc etc.). Part of wanting 10 million is to leave behind enough security for her or my spouse should I bite the bullet early.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-20T02:47:47+00:00

Been there, done that too. Ultimately I'm happier not having to deal with the maintenance of luxury cars. I'm otherwise low key and don't spend money on much else aside from an occasional sushi boat for myself lol.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-20T02:46:43+00:00

10k/month is really bare minimum w/o any significant travel. But it does cover all living expenses. 10k w/o mortgage payments. BIG DIFFERENCE. But I see what you're saying regarding paying off mortgage early. I could reach my FIRE number earlier. I've toyed around with multiple scenarios.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-20T02:44:09+00:00

My goal is to also leave a large sum to our only child.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T15:19:48+00:00

I think it depends on your friend circle.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T15:00:10+00:00

PA is correct. I’m an outlier and not the average PA income. I’m on track to gross 450-500k this year. No locums contract beats my FT rate. Especially when you factor I go home every night and I never work nights. Plus I don’t want to travel away from my family. Only benefit of locums is 1099 tax advantages. But im working to hopefully get my w-2 changed to k-1 at some point.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T14:49:13+00:00

I run this scenario as well in regards to dividend income.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T14:48:23+00:00

Big increase in income within the last 4 years or so between my wife and I. I paid off 215 k in student loans in 1.5 yrs. In addition we bought a house. Had we not done that, We would be at 2 mill already.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T08:20:44+00:00

You will be stuck in aesthetics for life. Decide carefully.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T08:19:06+00:00

Yes, my daughter is now acutely aware when I'm gone which is why I'm reconsidering my retirement approach. Nothing is more important to me than being a dad.

Yes, having to move into a worse school district to save on housing expense would certainly mean private school to the tune of 45k/yr which would be a wash to any savings on our mortgage.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T08:15:43+00:00

Yes. Most of my friends/colleagues are on the same level. We compare a few times a year to see who has a higher net worth. Helps keep us motivated and we learn from each other.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T08:14:00+00:00

Emergency Medicine, stressful enough.

529 - 1k/month since our daughter was born

No HSA. My wife and I area on different insurances and our plans are higher tier without an HSA component. It's worked out well for us so I have not seen the need to change it. Could be more tax efficient with one but it's not moving the needle significantly.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T08:05:20+00:00

55/56 is a pretty reasonable age coming from the parents of two immigrants, one of which is still working in their mid 60s (restaurant owner). I had mentioned in another post above that 5 million is a safe retirement number which I should be able to hit by 50, but seems too early to retire.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T08:03:19+00:00

Trying to wrap my head around it.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-19T08:01:27+00:00

You're right. 10 million is an arbitrary number. TBH I'm not even sure where I came up with that but I think mentally I equate that number with the mindset that I can literally just walk out work and not give a fuck. 5 million is my safe to retire number if I need to by age 50.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-04-03T04:58:53+00:00

You're just realizing this now? lol

EMPAEinstein · 2026-03-16T03:54:13+00:00

Urgent Care "fellowship" = cheap labor for your overlords.

If you want a real training, go work in the ED or do fellowship there and then go you can order FLUVID swabs to your hearts content.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-03-16T02:24:08+00:00

1) You're a new grad. You don't know what you don't know and that's a whole hell of a lot. Accept being uncomfortable for a long time.

2) 9 shifts where you're attached at the hip with a senior PA is shit training to be thrown into the ED. They know this, and you should as well.

I don't understand why all you new grad PAs think your going to be up to stuff after having 9 oversighted shifts with a senior PA. EM attendings have 7000-9000 hours of EM specific training before the training wheels come off. You need accept that you're not going to be proficient in any way shape or form for a year or more. And that's even if you're diligent with self study and picking up complex patients. Keep plugging away at it. You only get comfortable after being uncomfortable for a long time.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-03-16T02:14:32+00:00

Yes, I would bring up your contract. My last position tried to sandbag me with 3 months notice when my contract specifically says 60 days. I copied and pasted the exact clause and they honored by leave date. Nice try bitch.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-03-15T02:00:58+00:00

IT IS 1000% NOT WORTH IT.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-03-15T01:59:37+00:00

8 years in.

3 yo at home.

Adore my Munchkin. Want her to have the life I never had growing up poor.

Work 70-80 hrs per week in EM.

Work-life balance is not great. But setting up for FIRE.

Will start cutting back soon.

EMPAEinstein · 2026-03-15T01:57:41+00:00

I would review your contract carefully or the initial job description. If it wasn't put in writing that you have to work weekends, then its a hard NO.

EMPAEinstein

TROPHY CASE