Pennsylvania · Ortho PA placement
Orthopedic PA jobs and hiring in Erie and northwest Pennsylvania
In short
FirstAssistPA places orthopedic PAs in Erie and northwest Pennsylvania, including North East, Meadville and Edinboro, permanent or on 3 to 6 month W-2 contracts, and matches ortho PAs to Erie-area roles for free. Pennsylvania PAs practice under a written agreement with a supervising physician, up to six PAs per physician, with 100% chart countersignature for a PA's first 12 months in a new specialty. Your first placement is free.
Hiring an ortho PA in Erie and northwest Pennsylvania
Erie is a smaller market than Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, with one accredited trauma center: UPMC Hamot, a Level II adult trauma center on the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation list. An ortho role here may cover clinics in Erie and in outlying towns such as North East, Meadville or Edinboro, so we ask about the site schedule up front.
The candidate pool is small, too. BLS counted about 170 PAs of all specialties in the Erie metro in May 2025, so an ortho search often means recruiting from Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cleveland or further. For candidates who like the outdoors, Erie sits on Lake Erie, with Presque Isle State Park on its doorstep.
Pennsylvania's rules apply the same way here as in the rest of the state: a written agreement with a supervising physician, up to six PAs per physician unless the Board grants a waiver, and 100% countersignature within ten days for a PA's first 12 months in a new specialty.
What to plan for
- A wider search radius. With a small local pool, plan relocation support for a PA coming from another metro.
- Pay expectations. The BLS median for PAs in the Erie metro was about 12% below Pennsylvania's as a whole in May 2025, and a PA relocating from a bigger market will compare offers.
- Countersignature for a PA new to ortho: 100% of records, within ten days, for 12 months.
- A Pennsylvania license. Pennsylvania isn't in the PA Licensure Compact. Sites across the line in New York or Ohio need those states' licenses too.
Trauma centers in the area
UPMC Hamot is the only accredited trauma center in Erie County on the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation list, as a Level II adult trauma center. The foundation lists no accredited center in Crawford County. The nearest Level I centers on the list are in Pittsburgh.
| Hospital | City | Level |
|---|---|---|
| UPMC Hamot | Erie | Level II |
Source: Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, accredited trauma centers, checked September 24, 2026. Designations change; confirm with the hospital.
Pennsylvania PA rules, in brief
A high-level summary for planning a hire, not legal advice. Each point links to its source.
- Pennsylvania PAs practice under a written agreement with a supervising physician, filed with the Board. Supervision does not require the physician to be on site. 63 P.S. §422.13
- A physician may supervise up to six PAs at a time, or apply to the Board for a waiver for good cause. 63 P.S. §422.13
- For a PA's first 12 months after graduation, and first 12 months in a new specialty, the supervising physician must countersign 100% of patient records within ten days. After that, the written agreement sets co-signature. 49 Pa. Code §18.142
- Pennsylvania is not a member of the PA Licensure Compact, so an out-of-state PA needs a Pennsylvania license. PA Compact
What PAs are paid in Erie and northwest Pennsylvania
Government data for all physician assistants, not ortho specifically. Use it as an anchor, then adjust for first assist, call and experience. The U.S. median was $135,880 (May 2025).
| Area | Median | Mean | 10th to 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie (metro) | $111,260$53.49/hr | $113,380 | $97,400 to $132,440 |
| Pennsylvania, statewide | $127,070$61.09/hr | $125,160 | $99,050 to $158,690 |
The Erie figure rests on about 170 PAs, so treat it as directional.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, Physician Assistants (29-1071), May 2025 estimates.
For practices and for PAs
Hiring in Erie?
Permanent, 3 to 6 month contract (locum) or per diem. Your first placement is free, and if you aren't happy with the PA we place, we find a replacement at no cost.
Ortho PA looking in Erie?
Free, ortho-only matching. We negotiate rate, stipend and schedule, and never send your CV without asking.
Questions about Erie
Which hospitals in Erie are trauma centers?
UPMC Hamot in Erie is accredited by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation as a Level II adult trauma center. It is the only accredited trauma center in Erie County on the foundation's list.
What do physician assistants earn in Erie?
The BLS median for all physician assistants in the Erie metro was $111,260 in May 2025 ($53.49 an hour), against $127,070 for Pennsylvania as a whole. The Erie figure rests on about 170 PAs, and ortho pay depends on first assist, call and experience.
Does a new ortho PA need chart co-signature in Pennsylvania?
For a PA's first 12 months after graduation, and first 12 months in a new specialty, the primary supervising physician must countersign 100% of patient records within ten days. After that, the written agreement sets co-signature.
Do you place orthopedic PAs in Meadville and Edinboro?
Yes. We place in Erie and across northwest Pennsylvania, including North East, Meadville and Edinboro, permanent or on 3 to 6 month W-2 contracts.
What does FirstAssistPA charge to place an orthopedic PA in Erie and northwest Pennsylvania?
Nothing for your first placement, permanent or contract. If you aren't happy with the PA we place, for any reason, we find a replacement at no cost. PAs never pay a fee.