Physician Assistant Salary in West Orange, NJ: $160,374 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in West Orange, NJ earns a median $160,374/year (≈ $77.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in West Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $139,214 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Orange, New Jersey, the physician assistant salary landscape reflects a significant earning potential, especially for those in surgical specialties. With a median annual compensation of $160,374 projected for 2026, physician assistants in this area earn approximately 14.23% more than the national median of $140,391. The salary range indicates a wide variation, spanning from $120,806 at the 10th percentile to $218,652 at the 90th percentile. These numbers, derived from state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, underscore the market's dynamic nature, particularly as surgical roles command higher pay compared to those in primary care. The concentration of medical practices and hospital systems in the West Orange region certainly contributes to competitive salary offerings.
About the West Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,806 | $58.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,303 | $68.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,374 | $77.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,290 | $92.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,652 | $105.12 |
Median Salary Position
14.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Orange
In West Orange, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,846 (2026 est.). At $160,374, the local median is 14.23% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Orange Physician Assistant Pay Compares
West Orange median: $160,374/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,668 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +14.23% more |
Physician Assistants in West Orange, NJ earn a median of $160,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.23% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $161,668.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,374 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,214 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,239
2025 BLS Actual
$155,221
2026 Current Est.
$160,374
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in West Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,239 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,814 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,642 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,221 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,374 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Orange metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $128,239 (2019) to $155,221 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,460 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Orange 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) | $120,806 – $143,303 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,303 – $160,374 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,374 – $192,290 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,290 – $218,652 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in West Orange
The job market for physician assistants in West Orange appears promising, with 11 professionals currently employed in the region. However, the cost of living, measured by a CoL index of 115.2, suggests that while salaries are relatively high, living expenses also weigh heavily on take-home pay. Employers such as surgical specialty practices—particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery—typically offer the most lucrative positions. The disparity in salaries can often be linked to factors such as specialty focus, the volume of first-assist cases, and differences between hospital employment versus private practice structures. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, focusing on surgical assisting roles or seeking positions that offer RVU productivity bonuses could provide significant advantages in the West Orange job market.
More salary data for West Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in West Orange?
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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 $155,221 for physician assistantsin the West Orange 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 West Orange 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