Physician Assistant Salary in Passaic, NJ: $158,301 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Passaic, NJ earns a median $158,301/year (≈ $76.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Passaic's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $137,414 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical physician assistants in Passaic, NJ, benefit from a lucrative compensation landscape, with a median annual salary projected at $158,301 for 2026. This salary reflects a range from $119,820 at the lower end to $228,097 at the higher end, offering a substantial incentive for those entering the profession. The data used for these estimates derives from 2025 BLS figures, adjusted for local cost of living metrics, emphasizing the attractive pay structure for surgical PAs, particularly in first-assist roles. Such positions are typically found in high-demand specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where additional case volume directly influences earnings.
About the Passaic Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $119,820 | $57.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,428 | $68.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,301 | $76.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,589 | $94.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,097 | $109.66 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Passaic
In Passaic, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,277 (2026 est.). At $158,301, the local median is 12.76% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Passaic: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Passaic Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Passaic median: $158,301/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Passaic Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,696 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +12.76% more |
Physician Assistants in Passaic, NJ earn a median of $158,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $161,696.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Passaic has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Passaic, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,301 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,414 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$126,581
2025 BLS Actual
$153,214
2026 Current Est.
$158,301
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Passaic (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,033 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,085 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,606 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,301 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,556 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Passaic metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $126,581 (2019) to $153,214 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,556 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,975 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Passaic 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) | $119,820 – $142,428 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,428 – $158,301 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,301 – $195,589 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,589 – $228,097 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Passaic
In Passaic, where 18 physician assistants are currently employed, the market for this occupation remains robust despite a cost-of-living index of 115.2, which indicates that living expenses are above the national average. This reality takes a significant role in determining take-home pay, as it impacts disposable income and overall financial health. Surgical specialty practices and hospital systems often offer the highest salaries, significantly more than primary care offices or urgent care chains. Factors influencing the wide salary range include the field of specialty, case volumes, and if the PA is employed by a hospital or operates in a private practice as a 1099 contractor. To maximize earnings in this environment, PAs should focus on gaining experience in surgical specialties, pursue RVU-based productivity bonuses, and seek out roles with higher case loads which can substantially enhance potential compensation.
More salary data for Passaic, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Passaic, NJ in 2026?
Is Passaic, NJ a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Passaic?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Passaic?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Passaic?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $153,214 for physician assistantsin the Passaic 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 Passaic 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