Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Atlantic City, NJ: $76.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Atlantic City, NJ runs $76.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $158,369 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Atlantic City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.9, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $77.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $95,018 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $76.14 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $67.50 per hour. This rate reflects the competitive nature of healthcare in the area and offers lucrative opportunities for both part-time and per diem positions. A physician assistant working three days a week can expect to earn a solid income in various settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care facilities. The hourly wage range for physician assistants in Atlantic City stretches from $44.69 at entry-level positions to $84.25 for top earners, showcasing the potential for growth in this rewarding profession. The figures presented are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and represent official projections for 2026.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.69 | $357.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.09 | $480.73 |
| Median (P50) | $76.14 | $609.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.27 | $634.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.25 | $673.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlantic City
Based on $76.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $76.14/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlantic City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $158,364 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,364. With a cost-of-living index of 98.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Atlantic City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlantic City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,045.46 | $13,197 | $158,364 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,827.28 | $7,918 | $95,018 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,218.18 | $5,279 | $63,346 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Atlantic City) | $76.14 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $158,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $161,766.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $76.14/hr = $95,018/year (purchasing power: $96,117).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $158,364/year (purchasing power: $160,195).
CoL index: 98.857 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$76.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Atlantic City grew 32.1% from $55.78/hr (2019) to $73.69/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Atlantic City
Exploring the earning potential for physician assistants who choose part-time or per diem roles in Atlantic City reveals several nuances. For example, a part-time physician assistant working 24 hours per week will take home a substantial annual income, yet it may differ significantly from full-time earnings. Per diem physician assistant pay in Atlantic City varies widely, with locum tenens positions billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour based on specialty. Surgical PAs in orthopedics can command impressive day rates ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, while emergency medicine shifts can net around $900 to $1,400 for 12 hours of service. The hourly rates can also differ depending on the employer type, with hospital systems typically offering more stability and benefits while specialty clinics might provide higher hourly rates without the same level of perks. Negotiating terms is key; those with specific skills or certifications may leverage their experience for better pay. Understanding these dynamics can help prospective PAs make informed decisions to maximize their career potential in Atlantic City, NJ.
More salary data for Atlantic City, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Atlantic City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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