Physician Assistant Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $161,426 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $161,426/year (≈ $77.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $140,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plainfield, New Jersey, the 2026 median annual salary for physician assistants is projected at $161,426, marking a significant uptick in compensation that reflects the local market dynamics. By comparison to the national median of $140,391, this figure demonstrates a healthy 14.98% premium for PAs practicing in the area. The salary range varies widely, from $113,652 at the 10th percentile to as high as $233,014 at the 90th percentile, indicating that specialty focus plays a critical role in earnings potential. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, suggest that those engaged in surgical specialties can command the highest wages, emphasizing the importance of specialization in this job market.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,652 | $54.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,335 | $66.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,426 | $77.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,013 | $91.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $233,014 | $112.03 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,362 (2026 est.). At $161,426, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $161,426/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,750 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +14.98% more |
Physician Assistants in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $161,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $161,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,426 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,127 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,080
2025 BLS Actual
$156,239
2026 Current Est.
$161,426
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,679 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,739 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,677 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,239 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,426 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $129,080 (2019) to $156,239 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,705 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $113,652 – $139,335 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,335 – $161,426 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,426 – $190,013 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,013 – $233,014 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Plainfield
A closer look at the local job market reveals that only 10 physician assistants are currently employed in Plainfield, a relatively small figure that may suggest limited competition within the field. However, the cost-of-living index of 115.2 implies that take-home pay must be adjusted to address higher living expenses in the area. Top-paying employers are typically found among major hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments, with compensation differences heavily influenced by the nature of their practice. The spread between lower and higher salaries reflects factors such as specialty type, call coverage requirements, and revenue-based incentives. For PAs seeking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Plainfield, specializing in high-demand areas like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, increasing first-assist case volume, or opting for hospital employment over 1099 contracts can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $156,239 for physician assistantsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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