PA job satisfaction: Why so happy?

A characteristic of physician associates/assistants (PAs) observed consistently is their high degree of career satisfaction. Over 6 decades, national surveys showed that PA job satisfaction levels (either satisfied or very satisfied) consistently were in the mid-80% positive range. This analysis explains this remarkable, consistent, and persistent level of satisfaction among practicing PAs. A review of the literature on PA job satisfaction shows that autonomy in clinical practice appears to be a major correlate with job and career satisfaction.