Physician Assistant Salary in Bridgewater, NJ: $159,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Bridgewater, NJ earns a median $159,270/year (≈ $76.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Bridgewater's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $138,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Bridgewater, New Jersey will see a median annual salary of $159,270, significantly above the national average of $140,391. The compensation range spans from $117,452 at the 10th percentile to $209,730 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while many professionals earn a robust income, there is potential for higher earnings, particularly in surgical specialties. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflecting the dynamics of the local healthcare sector. With first-assist billing playing a pivotal role in surgical practices, PAs in Bridgewater are well-positioned to capitalize on high-demand services, enhancing their earning potential as they work alongside experienced surgeons.
About the Bridgewater Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $117,452 | $56.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $140,950 | $67.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,270 | $76.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,967 | $89.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,730 | $100.83 |
Median Salary Position
13.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgewater
In Bridgewater, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,278 (2026 est.). At $159,270, the local median is 13.45% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bridgewater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bridgewater Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Bridgewater median: $159,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,695 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +13.45% more |
Physician Assistants in Bridgewater, NJ earn a median of $159,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.45% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $161,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgewater has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgewater, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,270 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,255 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,356
2025 BLS Actual
$154,152
2026 Current Est.
$159,270
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bridgewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,356 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,907 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,955 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,504 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgewater metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $127,356 (2019) to $154,152 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,202 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgewater 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) | $117,452 – $140,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $140,950 – $159,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,270 – $185,967 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,967 – $209,730 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Bridgewater
The job market for physician assistants in Bridgewater shows healthy activity with about 10 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index at 115.2 indicates that living expenses are about 15% higher than the national average, which can impact disposable income despite competitive salaries. Employers that offer the most lucrative opportunities typically include hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments. Variability in compensation is largely attributed to factors such as specialty demand—surgical assistants often command higher salaries than those in primary care—and the structures of pay (W-2 versus 1099). For aspiring PAs, focusing on high-volume, first-assist cases and seeking positions in thriving surgical environments or large health networks can enhance both career satisfaction and financial reward in Bridgewater.
More salary data for Bridgewater, 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 $154,152 for physician assistantsin the Bridgewater 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
Salary data for Bridgewater is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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