Physician Assistant Salary in Clifton, NJ: $158,737 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Clifton, NJ earns a median $158,737/year (≈ $76.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $137,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clifton, New Jersey, the compensation for physician assistants is quite competitive, especially considering the first-assist billing model that significantly impacts surgical PA salaries. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $158,737, with a salary range from $120,841 at the 10th percentile to $229,589 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions. This level of pay reflects the growing demand for highly skilled PAs in Clifton's healthcare system, highlighting the value placed on providers who can assist in complex procedures.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,841 | $58.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,338 | $68.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,737 | $76.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,122 | $89.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,589 | $110.38 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,748 (2026 est.). At $158,737, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Clifton median: $158,737/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,811 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +13.07% more |
Physician Assistants in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $158,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $161,811.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,737 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,793 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,929
2025 BLS Actual
$153,636
2026 Current Est.
$158,737
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,929 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,476 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,033 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,636 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,737 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $126,929 (2019) to $153,636 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,078 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $120,841 – $143,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,338 – $158,737 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,737 – $187,122 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,122 – $229,589 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Clifton
While 14 physician assistants are currently employed in Clifton, the area's cost of living index sits at 115.2, indicating a slightly higher expense compared to the national average. This factor influences take-home pay, making it crucial for PAs to consider their employment options wisely. Typically, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, offer some of the highest salaries, leveraging first-assist roles to enhance revenue through RVU productivity bonuses. Moreover, the variance in pay can be attributed to specialties, case volume, and practice structures, such as hospital-employed versus independently contracted roles. For those aiming to optimize their earnings in the Clifton job market, gaining experience in high-demand specialties and seeking positions that offer performance incentives may prove most beneficial.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Clifton, NJ in 2026?
Is Clifton, NJ a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Clifton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Clifton?
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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 $153,636 for physician assistantsin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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