Demographic patterns among physician assistant/associate applicants and matriculants compared with U.S. population benchmarks, 2013–2022

The Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) profession offers an innovative solution to increase access and equitable outcomes in healthcare, especially for communities lacking primary care physicians. However, as of 2025, the PA workforce does not mirror the present and projected changes in the U.S. demographic composition. We examine nine-year race, ethnic, and gender trends of PA training programs- the pipeline to the profession. Data on PA program applicants and matriculants from the 2012–2013 to the 2021–2022 application cycles were obtained from the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and analyzed alongside United States (U.S.) Census data. Demographic categories included self-identified gender, racial and ethnic groups. Over ten years, the number of PA programs and applicants increased significantly, yet representation across gender, racial and ethnic groups remained uneven. White and Asian applicants and matriculants were generally overrepresented, while among females, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), and Hispanic individuals were underrepresented, relative to their representation in the Census. Among males, all groups were underrepresented, relative to their representation in the Census. While some strides have been made in some historically underrepresented groups, Black men and AIAN individuals remained consistently underrepresented. These findings underscore persistent challenges in creating a PA workforce that reflects the nation’s demographics, with notable gaps among underrepresented groups. For the last ten years, the racial and ethnic distribution of PA trainees has not matched the demographics of the U.S. population. Improvements among some historically underrepresented groups suggest areas of progress, but population-level disproportionality persists. Continued evaluation of applicant and matriculant trends may help inform evidence-based strategies to support broad access to PA education and strengthen the healthcare workforce.