Physician Assistant Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $158,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $158,369/year (≈ $76.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.9), that paycheck buys what $160,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For physician assistants specializing in surgical care, Atlantic City, NJ, presents lucrative opportunities reflected in a robust median salary of $158,369 for 2026, surpassing the national average by 12.81%. This figure comes from comprehensive BLS OEWS data, with salaries ranging from $92,936 at the lower end (P10) to $175,220 at the upper tier (P90). The range encapsulates the dynamic nature of compensation driven by specialties, with surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic disciplines, commanding higher wages compared to their primary care counterparts. The contrast in earning potential illustrates the market demand for specialized skills in this coastal city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,936 | $44.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,997 | $60.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,369 | $76.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,868 | $79.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,220 | $84.25 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,284 (2026 est.). At $158,369, the local median is 12.81% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Atlantic City Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $158,369/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,766 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +12.81% more |
Physician Assistants in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $158,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $161,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 1.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 98.857 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $158,369 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,200 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,020
2025 BLS Actual
$153,280
2026 Current Est.
$158,369
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,627 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 32.1% from $116,020 (2019) to $153,280 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,627 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,607 (41.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $92,936 – $124,997 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,997 – $158,369 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,369 – $164,868 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,868 – $175,220 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Atlantic City
The local employment landscape shows that approximately 150 physician assistants work in Atlantic City, where the cost of living index of 98.857 suggests a favorable economic environment for prospective PAs. Despite being slightly below the national average, this index offers a decent purchasing power for those in the profession. Typically, surgical specialty practices and hospital systems provide the highest compensation packages, particularly for PAs engaged in first-assist roles that can generate considerable billing. Factors such as the type of practice, call coverage responsibilities, and RVU productivity bonuses define the pay spectrum, with surgical roles clearly shaded towards the top. To optimize their earnings, PAs should consider gaining experience in high-demand specialties and exploring employment opportunities with hospitals that support value-based care models, as these trends can significantly influence take-home pay in Atlantic City, NJ.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $153,280 for physician assistantsin the Atlantic City metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov