PA Salary

Atlantic City vs Linden: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Linden, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$158,369
$76.14/hr
Linden, NJ
$158,341
$76.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJLinden, NJ
Median Salary$158,369$158,341
Hourly Rate$76.14$76.13
Entry Level (P10)$92,936$115,889
25th Percentile$124,997$138,986
75th Percentile$164,868$187,427
Top Earner (P90)$175,220$211,899
Total Employed1507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($158,369) and Linden ($158,341) physician assistant salaries.Atlantic CityLindenMedian Salary$158,369$158,341Entry Level (P10)$92,936$115,889Top Earner (P90)$175,220$211,899US Median $140,391

Verdict

Atlantic City, NJ offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Linden.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Linden is $28 (0.02%). Atlantic City's median is +12.81% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $82,284,Linden spans $96,010. Linden has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$92,936
P25$124,997
Median$158,369
P75$164,868
P90 (Top)$175,220
Linden
P10 (Entry)$115,889
P25$138,986
Median$158,341
P75$187,427
P90 (Top)$211,899

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($160,200 effective) pays 16.55% more than Linden ($137,449 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $158,369
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $160,200
Linden
Nominal: $158,341
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $137,449

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Higher median salary ($158,369/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,200)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Linden if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($211,899)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Atlantic City grew 32.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.5% growth in Linden over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+32.1%

$116,020 (2019) → $153,280 (2025)

Linden, NJ

+-1.5%

$155,644 (2024) → $153,253 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Atlantic City or Linden?

Atlantic City has a higher median physician assistant salary at $158,369/year, compared to Linden at $158,341/year — a difference of $28 (0.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Linden?

Atlantic City physician assistants earn $76.14/hr while Linden hygienists earn $76.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Linden as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Linden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $160,200, Linden = $137,449), job availability (150 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Atlantic City vs Linden?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $92,936 in Atlantic City and $115,889 in Linden. The Linden area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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