Physician Assistant Salary in Wayne, NJ: $158,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Wayne, NJ earns a median $158,365/year (≈ $76.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Wayne's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $137,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the city of Wayne, NJ, physician assistants can expect a commendable median annual salary of $158,365, which exceeds the national median by approximately 12.80%. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $119,970 and reaching as high as $222,540 for highly experienced PAs. These figures are reflective of local estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price parities. The dynamics of the job market in Wayne indicate a demand for PAs, particularly in surgical specialties, which often attract higher salaries compared to primary care roles.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $119,970 | $57.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,095 | $66.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,365 | $76.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,277 | $92.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,540 | $106.99 |
Median Salary Position
12.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wayne
In Wayne, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,570 (2026 est.). At $158,365, the local median is 12.8% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wayne Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Wayne median: $158,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,762 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +12.80% more |
Physician Assistants in Wayne, NJ earn a median of $158,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.80% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $161,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wayne has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wayne, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,365 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,470 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,632
2025 BLS Actual
$153,276
2026 Current Est.
$158,365
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,632 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,163 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,666 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,668 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wayne metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $126,632 (2019) to $153,276 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,990 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wayne 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) | $119,970 – $139,095 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,095 – $158,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,365 – $192,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,277 – $222,540 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Wayne
With only 10 physician assistants currently employed in Wayne, the local job market remains relatively small but shows promising potential for growth, projected at an annual rate of 3.32%. However, the cost of living in Wayne registers at 115.2, indicating that while salaries may appear competitive, the purchasing power for PAs may be affected. Surgical and emergency departments generally offer the most lucrative compensation, often driven by the complexity of cases and the volume of first-assist roles. In contrast, primary care offices tend to have lower pay scales. For those looking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Wayne, specializing in surgical fields and negotiating for RVU productivity bonuses can be advantageous strategies, especially given the competitive nature of this market.
More salary data for Wayne, 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 $153,276 for physician assistantsin the Wayne 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 Wayne 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