A device including a gain control element coupled prior to or within a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) with an adaptive parametric PA protection circuit is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a gain control element coupled prior to a radio frequency power amplifier with a power stage with corresponding transistor breakdown threshold values, having an adaptive parametric PA protection circuit configured to receive at least one power stage drain-source voltage parameter value, at least one power stage drain-gate voltage parameter value, and at least one power stage drain-source current parameter value, and including an adaptive parametric PA protection circuit having a first section for processing the parameter values and a second section for generating a gain correction signal to adjust the gain control element with optimal power added efficiency (PAE) for the power stage within the corresponding transistor breakdown threshold values.