I agree: why are you getting a PhD in psych (5 years +) and then asking about MD or PA? ANd when would you be doing this? After the PhD? In which case worry about that in the 10 years down the road when you are done with that. I think you need to clearly figure out just what you want to do and just what your goals are. Do not just collect degrees. I would have a talk with a university adviser and try & figure out just exactly where you are headed: PA, MD, PhD...

Why in the world would you get a PhD in Psych if you want to go to medical school or a physician assistant program? Why not go to medical school and become a psychiatrist? You wouldn't have a hard time finding work as either a PA or an MD. There is a massive shortage in health care providers. and it is only projected to get worse.

Both are extremely lucrative career options, and, thus, both are extremely competitive and require unmatched work ethic and motivation. If you want to immediately make a good salary right out of school, PA is probably the way to go. As an MD, you will have to do a residency and then optionally a fellowship, if you want to further specialize. During my general surgery residency, based on my salary and the amount of hours I was working, I made approximately $7/hr. I did this for 5 years. I make more now that I am in my pediatric surgery fellowship, but it still isn't all that much.

Both are pretty easy to find jobs.

Also, don't let anyone fool you. From what I understand, PA school is not at all significantly (if at all) easier to get into than medical school. It is also probably just as hard, the only difference is that it doesn't take quite as long.