1/2 years out of school and almost done paying off student loans (thanks to my wife for helping). As a med student I would have 2-33 years left of residency with my student loans continuing to pile up. Going in to something like primary care and you probably don't make a whole lot more than a PA considering student loans and when you start earning money. It probably doesn't even out until about 10 years after med school compared to 15 after PA school. As a PA in primary care, you treat patients much the same as the MD would.

Now if you go into a specialty, then there is a big change. Orthopedic surgeon would make a lot more, and there is a big difference in being a surgeon and a first assist and clinic PA for a surgeon.