Increase in PA Base Salary for 2019
My compensation is reviewed annually and in the past we’ve been able to receive up to a three percent increase based on our annual review. The review is a survey done by other provides and employees that work in the office. If we scored above a four out of five we would qualify for the full increase. The only problem with this structure was that PA compensation had been increasing more than three percent, making our salaries less competitive.
This year our organization did a complete market evaluation for PAs and NPs and for 2019 my base salary was increased to $111,000; up from $106,644 in 2018.
PAs in our organization are compensated either on a salaried basis, or the greater of base salary versus wRVU productivity model. Most specialties are compensated on salary only and not on wRVUs. Under either method, base compensation is established at the marked median. Our organization utilizes Sullivan & Cotter as its external market compensation salary survey. This survey helps to ensure that market compensation is externally competitive.
For certain specialties, such as surgical specialties, compensation by wRVU does not make sense as much of the work done by PAs is not reflected by wRVUs. Post-op appointments are part of a global fee, so although you might be doing work that is freeing up the surgeon to do other work, you will not earn any wRVUs for that appointment.
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This is increase to base salary does not truly reflect an overall increase in compensation. I have been fortunate to out earn my base salary with my production, so this raise means that I get more of my earnings on a monthly basis instead of waiting for my quarterly bonus. More importantly, is the amount that I’m paid per wRVU, if that number is increased that means I’m getting paid more for the work that I’m doing. For 2019 the compensation per wRVU was increased as well, which means there was an increase in overall compensation.
Although psychologically it feels good to see an increase in the base salary I’m happier with the increase in compensation per wRVU. When I first started at this job the base salary was above median compared to the AAPA and NCCPA salary surveys, but over time those numbers increased more than my base salary. Compensation is only one thing to look at when accepting a position, but it is a good sign when an employer values their employees enough to make adjustments like this.
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