Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Plainfield, NJ: $77.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Plainfield, NJ runs $77.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $161,426 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Plainfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,849 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Plainfield, NJ, can expect a median hourly rate of $77.60, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $67.50. This strong hourly pay reflects the demand for PAs working in diverse settings such as operating rooms, hospital floors, and urgent care clinics. Those working part-time, for example three days a week, can expect a stable income based on this hourly rate, making it a viable option for professionals seeking flexible scheduling. Entry-level positions generally start at around $54.64 per hour, while top earners can potentially make up to $112.03 per hour, allowing for a broad range of earning opportunities within the state. These hourly rates are derived from the projected annual salary data and underscore the competitive nature of the physician assistant hourly pay in Plainfield.
About the Plainfield 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) | $54.64 | $437.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66.99 | $535.94 |
| Median (P50) | $77.60 | $620.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.36 | $730.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112.03 | $896.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plainfield
Based on $77.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.60/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plainfield, NJ can expect to earn approximately $161,416 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,124. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Plainfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plainfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,104.15 | $13,451 | $161,416 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,862.49 | $8,071 | $96,849 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,241.66 | $5,381 | $64,566 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Plainfield) | $77.60 |
| 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 Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $161,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $161,750.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.60/hr = $96,849/year (purchasing power: $84,071).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $161,416/year (purchasing power: $140,118).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $67.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Plainfield grew 21.0% from $62.05/hr (2019) to $75.11/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.18/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 Plainfield 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 Plainfield
Considering working as a part-time physician assistant in Plainfield, a PA working 24 hours a week could take home around $60,000 annually, compared to full-time PAs who earn higher but work more hours. Per diem and locum tenens opportunities can be particularly lucrative; locum PAs typically bill anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, with orthopedic surgical PAs potentially earning between $1,200 and $1,800 for a day spent in the operating room. Shifts in emergency medicine often range from $900 to $1,400 for 12-hour commitments. Hourly compensation can vary widely based on employer type—hospital systems usually offer W-2 positions with benefits, whereas private specialty practices and urgent care centers often provide 1099 opportunities with higher hourly rates but without benefits. PAs must weigh these factors carefully when considering their next position, as securing a higher hourly wage may come at the cost of traditional health benefits. For negotiation, it is advisable to approach discussions with a clear understanding of the local market, emphasizing the need for flexibility and the potential for high-volume hours in particular specialties.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 Plainfield. 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 Plainfield 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