Minnesota’s Health Workforce
Physician Assistants, 2006
August 2007
Physician Assistants are licensed by the Board of Medical Practice and practice under the supervision of a physician. They
may perform tasks that would otherwise be done by the supervising physician.
Overview
The number of Minnesota licensed physician
assistants (PA) increased from 832 to 1,097
between 2005 and 2006, a 32 percent increase.
Number of Minnesota licensed
physician assistants
1200
Geographic location
Metropolitan – The 21 counties surrounding the seven
metropolitan statistical areas connected with Minnesota, as
defined by the US Census (Minneapolis-St. Paul; St. Cloud;
Rochester; Duluth-Superior , WI; Fargo, ND; Grand Forks, ND;
and La Crosse, WI).
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
Females account for 61 percent of PAs. PAs ages
55 and older are predominately male but 76
percent of PAs under age 35 are female. Older
PAs reflect a unique group, as many may have
been the first to be licensed in the state – the first
Minnesota licenses were certified in 1988. This
may be a factor in explaining age group differences
as the profession has been gaining interest and
understanding over the years.
2001
Demographics
2000
PAs are more likely to practice in micropolitan or
rural areas than physicians – 21 percent work
outside metropolitan areas compared to only 15
percent of physicians.
1999
About 78 percent of Minnesota licensed PAs work
in Minnesota. Of those working in Minnesota, 79
percent have a work site in a metropolitan county.
Another 12 percent work in micropolitan areas
and the remaining 9 percent in rural counties.
1998
Work location
0
1997
Rural – The 46 Minnesota counties outside a Metropolitan or
Micropolitan area.
400
1996
Micropolitan – The 20 Minnesota counties surrounding smaller
urban centers of at least 10,000 people.
800
Female and male physician
assistants by work
location, 2006
61%
63%
61%
39%
39%
Metropolitan
37%
Micropolitan
Rural
Female
Male
Female and male physician
assistants, 2006
75%
71%
59%
55%
45%
41%
29%
24%
Under 35
(n=223)
35 to 44
45 to 54
(n=150)
(n=123)
Female Male
55 and older
(n=63)
Place of employment
Nearly two-thirds of PAs are employed at provider
clinics or offices. More than a fourth work in
hospitals. The remainder work in urgent care
facilities and other work settings.
Primary work site setting of
physician assistants, 2006
5%
6%
26%
63%
Clinic/office
Activities
On an average day, PAs devote 88 percent of their
time to patient care. This is based on the average
of all PAs, which means some may spend nearly all
their time on patient care, while others may spend
most of their time on administrative duties.
“Other” work activities include case management, teaching,
public health, school health, triage, patient supervision and
any additional activities. Each of these activities made up no
more than 2 percent of an average work day.
Future capacity
Thirty-eight percent of PAs plan to practice
another 10 years or less. Nearly half of these are
under age 35. Younger PAs may anticipate
changing careers. It is possible that as the younger
PAs age, they will decide to practice longer.
Hospital
Urgent care
Other
Physican assistant activity as an
average percent of time at primary
work site, 2006
9%
3%
88%
Patient care
Administrative
Other
Number of years physician
assistants plan to continue
practicing, 2006
20%
62%
18%
0-5 years
6-10 years
More than 10 years
Data involving place of employment, activities and future capacity are from a 2006 survey of PAs (n=559) and include only
those who work in Minnesota. Not all respondents answered all questions analyzed in this report. Additional data reflect all
Minnesota licensed PAs.
Minnesota Department of Health – Health Policy
Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Health Workforce Analysis Program
P.O. Box 64882
St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
(651) 201-3838
www.health.state.mn.us
If you require this document in another format, such
as large print, Braille or cassette tape, call
(651) 201-3838 or TTY (651) 201-5797.
Contact for more information
The Health Workforce Analysis Program
(651) 201-3854
August 2007