Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Jersey City, NJ: $84.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Jersey City, NJ runs $84.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $176,188 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Jersey City's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $105,708 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Jersey City, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $84.70 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national hourly median of $67.50. This higher compensation reflects the demand for skilled PAs in various settings, including operating rooms, hospital floors, emergency departments, and urgent care facilities. For part-time workers, such as those committing to three days a week, this hourly rate enables a rewarding income stream, particularly in areas where PAs engage in hands-on procedures and patient management. The hourly pay in Jersey City ranges from $57.95 at the entry-level position to as high as $121.08 for seasoned professionals, illustrating the financial potential within this vital healthcare role. It's crucial to remember that these figures are derived from annual salary projections, but they provide a clear window into what PAs can expect on an hourly basis.
About the Jersey City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57.95 | $463.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.24 | $577.93 |
| Median (P50) | $84.70 | $677.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103.10 | $824.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121.08 | $968.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jersey City
Based on $84.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.70/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jersey City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $176,180 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $101,642. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Jersey City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jersey City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,388.07 | $14,682 | $176,180 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,032.84 | $8,809 | $105,708 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,355.23 | $5,873 | $70,472 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Jersey City) | $84.70 |
| 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 Jersey City, NJ earn a median of $176,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.50% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 8.90% above the New Jersey state average of $161,789.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.70/hr = $105,708/year (purchasing power: $91,760).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $176,180/year (purchasing power: $152,934).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$81.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Jersey City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $69.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $73.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $78.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $80.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $81.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Jersey City grew 21.0% from $67.73/hr (2019) to $81.98/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.51/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 Jersey 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 Jersey City
When considering part-time employment in Jersey City, a physician assistant working three days a week—or roughly 24 hours—could anticipate earning around $106,416 annually, a figure that represents a stable income relative to full-time roles. For those in per diem positions, the financial landscape is even more variable. Locum PAs typically command hourly rates ranging from $75 to $130, with specialized roles such as orthopedic surgical assistants often commanding between $1,200 and $1,800 for a full day of OR coverage. Employers in Jersey City, including hospital systems and various specialty practices, offer different pay scales—which can be advantageous for negotiating pay. Many PAs may accept lower hourly wages with benefits because the trade-off can lead to better job security and healthcare coverage. Practicing negotiation skills becomes pivotal, particularly in an environment where hourly pay can vary widely based on the work setting, underscoring the importance of aligning financial goals with employment type in this rewarding field.
More salary data for Jersey City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Jersey City in 2026?
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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 Jersey 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
Salary data for Jersey City 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