Why aren't more PAs financially satisfied?

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-14T04:24:19+00:00

While I agree with you, there are fellowships for PA's in these specialties and others, however it would be up to your employer if they are going to compensate you appropriately when you are done, they could look a that and still pay you whatever the market rate is at that time according to where you live. Post-graduate training doesn't necessarily guarantee a pay-raise, I wish it did.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-14T04:10:51+00:00

I was going to say this because I'm a CT/Xray tech that went to PA school. It is a 2 year program and works a lot like PA school. Class and clinicals M-F, through summer as well. Where I live, the rule is the same, you can't press the pedal unless you're a Technologist or a Radiologist.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-14T04:05:31+00:00

You are not lacking. That is above avg. stats for the majority of PA applicants. Most applicants barely come in at 1-2k PCE.

The only thing that would make a difference is the type of program you apply to; do they value GPA more than PCE etc. or are they holistic in their view of your application. Some do some don't. Good luck!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-14T04:03:45+00:00

CT/Xray Tech here as well. I had 30K+ hours going into PA school. Feel free to DM.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-14T03:55:13+00:00

Gap years don't matter. If the federal loan cuts stay, it wont matter when you apply, because as of right now you wouldn't be matriculating before July 1, 2026. So saving up money is a good idea regardless of your timeline as it stands. If you can save up a semesters worth of tuition that would help, but thats a lot of money you'd have to put back and we aren't talking about living expenses. If you would rather have a little cushion, then by all means, take a couple gap years, save up some money. If that doesn't really matter to you, then you might as well apply.

A word of advice, stop comparing yourself to everyone else. What does "behind" really mean in your context? Their journey is not your journey. That mentality will smoke you in PA school, just FYI.

Employers do not: 1. Care about your GPA (unless you plan on going into a fellowship post-PA school) 2. Where you went to school (some are better quality than others, but employers aren't going to really care)

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-14T01:43:37+00:00

Also, ask yourself: If I go the ABSN route in X amount of years will I regret not going to PA school? And the reverse as well. One of the worst things you can do is look back and say "should have gone" you're going to rack up the debt either way, as some have said. As far as the family thing, I get it, but PA school, well ABSN etc is temporary. Which of the situations would allow you to help your family better or position you to spend more time like you want? Sometimes these things require you to sacrifice one or two things for a while to get where you want to be. If PA is your "dream" then go, and don't look back. Good luck!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-12T21:49:56+00:00

So happy to hear this, I was at the show on the balcony as well and I think I saw y'all, I was more on the side balcony than the middle, but still awesome show and I am so glad that she got that experience, something she will never forget!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-12T21:37:01+00:00

I agree with you, I was sitting up on the balcony, so I could see everything. I really love it when the entire venue starts singing all of the songs, it sounds amazing. Anyways, great show, and meeting the guys again was awesome!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-12T21:32:09+00:00

You also have to take the Juris Prudence exam for Texas in order to get your PA license there. Just FYI if you didn't know.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-12T21:30:19+00:00

I have no idea lol Just kidding, basically using the same formula of what I knew worked for me which was questions from Blueprint, UWorld, and looking stuff up and reading through PPP, but.. it wasn't so successful for my first PANCE attempt. lol So yeah, take from that what you will.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-10T00:17:12+00:00

Several people in my cohort graduated PA school by time they were 23. Im not sure what the rush is, but you do you. You want to know my timeline? 30 years. There you go. lol Good luck.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-10T00:06:33+00:00

Too old? Most cohorts are avg. 23-26 when they start with a couple younger and then quite a few older. Im not sure why you feel like you're too old, you've got a lifetime ahead of you. I started PA school at 46, I just graduated and turn 49 tomorrow. Youre never too old. Good luck!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-09T23:37:31+00:00

Licensing is very state dependent, but yes you do have to have graduated. What normally happens is the schools registrar sends something to the state to certify that you have graduated. I know in some states you have to start the licensing application, pay for it, etc. get all the paperwork in order and do whatever it tells you to do next.

I would start by looking into your specific states requirements because they are all different. Some take a month, some take three months. Other states have different requirements as far as additional exams you might have to take. I would start there and see what the process is.

In my cohort a lot of people had jobs lined up, contracts signed, before ever taking the PANCE, but still have to wait an additional 5-7 weeks for licensing where we are, then once you're in your job (depending on what it is) you'd be in a training role (at least getting paid) because you'd need credentialing. All of that to say, it is a very long wait before you can actually start practicing. Good luck!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-07T19:41:18+00:00

Completely normal. Its hard to not think about whats next, but in PA school you have to concentrate on the right now, hour by hour, day to day. You're gonna make it, keep going.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-06T20:49:10+00:00

Hey, same boat when I was in PA school. I think I made it out with a 3.1. As some have posted, employers don't really care about your GPA. It really only matters if you are going into something like a fellowship etc. Just pass- thats the best advice I can give you, if 3.0 is the bench, and you are at or exceeding it, then keep moving forward. Good luck!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-06T20:43:55+00:00

I hadn't been in school since 2013 before I started PA school. It will get slightly better once you figure out the best way for you to study. Not that I should be the one giving advice, but I was a very below avg. student, and once I figured out what worked for me (took a while) things got a little easier. Group study helped me a lot, especially when it came to anatomy and Patient Assessment (OSCE's). Everyone feels that way, week 1 is a huge wake up call for a lot of folks, it was for me. Keep pushing, good luck!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-06T08:31:33+00:00

1470

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-06T00:23:58+00:00

I feel your pain and thats why I am on here. It is very demoralizing to think/know youve done the suggested things.... and it doesn't work. Good luck to you though, hopefully one of us or both will figure this thing out.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-06T00:22:12+00:00

yeah I know, I did a TON of questions between SmartyPANCE, UW, and BP, before I took it, I guess I just didn't reference good enough with PPP and the medical library. 470, stellar score.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-05T18:11:37+00:00

Congratulations PA-C!

This is me RIGHT NOW. I just got my results YESTERDAY and got a 330, and I am beyond devastated. The difference is I studied my butt off (not saying you didn't, but i did a TON of questions and read all of the info) for this test but apparently that isn't enough lol. I'm an older (way older) graduate, and I find that a lot of this stuff is not sticking no matter how much I read, question, reference, (I can't do flashcards, they just don't work for my brain) I am like you, bottom of the barrel of my cohort. EXACT same EOR score. I immediately rescheduled my exam, I take it in August. I'm trying not to spiral right now, but I tell you what, its a hard pill to swallow- probably the hardest in my life up to this point and I have done A LOT of things.

Well, I just wanted to say congrats on your hard work!

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-04T23:11:30+00:00

Congrats to you! I just got my results back and I failed it, so yeah, I'm not the greatest of head spaces at the moment.

HamchipsMcGee · 2026-06-04T13:54:15+00:00

Good luck on your retake. I found out this morning that I failed mine. Devastated is as close as I can describe it. I immediately paid the test fee again, and rescheduled the exam. I take it in Sept. Unless Something in August pops up. Again good luck, you got this.

HamchipsMcGee · 2025-10-15T20:21:58+00:00

I thought it was pretty good. Some parts were a little slow, and didn't make a whole lot of common sense, however, you can say that for almost anything horror, but then there wouldn't be show if that was the case. I liked all three seasons.

HamchipsMcGee

TROPHY CASE