Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in West Orange, NJ: $77.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in West Orange, NJ runs $77.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $160,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against West Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $66.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,230 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Orange, NJ, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $77.11 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $67.50. This advantageous hourly rate enables both part-time and per diem physician assistants to earn suitable compensation while working in varied clinical settings, such as operating rooms, ambulatory clinics, and emergency departments. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to an appealing income that can accommodate a flexible lifestyle. The hourly pay for physician assistants in West Orange reflects a broad range, with entry-level positions starting at $58.08 and top earners potentially making $105.12 per hour. These figures, estimated from annual salary data, underscore the potential reward of the profession in this well-respected community.
About the West Orange 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) | $58.08 | $464.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68.89 | $551.15 |
| Median (P50) | $77.11 | $616.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.45 | $739.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.12 | $840.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Orange
Based on $77.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.11/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Orange, NJ can expect to earn approximately $160,384 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,529. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in West Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,084.31 | $13,365 | $160,384 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,850.59 | $8,019 | $96,230 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,233.72 | $5,346 | $64,154 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (West Orange) | $77.11 |
| 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 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.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.11/hr = $96,230/year (purchasing power: $83,533).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $160,384/year (purchasing power: $139,222).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $66.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in West Orange grew 21.0% from $61.66/hr (2019) to $74.63/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.67/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in West Orange
The earning potential for part-time physician assistants working a 3-day week, totaling around 24 hours, leads to a substantial annual income, significantly different from full-time counterparts. Although full-time PAs take home an annual compensation of about $160,374, part-time workers can still expect to see a respectable return based on their hourly rate. The per diem physician assistant pay in West Orange can vary widely based on specialties and shifts; for instance, locum PAs might bill between $75 and $130 per hour, while orthopedic surgical PAs can earn up to $1,800 in a single day for operating room coverage. Hourly rates also fluctuate across employer types—hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and urgent care chains each offer unique compensation structures. PAs often face a benefits trade-off when evaluating hourly incomes; higher hourly compensation might come without health insurance, tempting some to accept lower rates for the security of benefits. Practical negotiation tips include emphasizing specialized skills or current certifications, especially in high-demand areas like emergency medicine or surgical assistance in West Orange.
More salary data for West Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in West Orange in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in West Orange?
Are physician assistants in West Orange paid hourly or salary?
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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 West Orange. 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 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