Physician Assistant Salary in Linden, NJ: $158,341 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Linden, NJ earns a median $158,341/year (≈ $76.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Linden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $137,449 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for physician assistants in Linden, New Jersey, is projected to be $158,341. This figure reflects the unique compensation model in the area, particularly influenced by the demand for surgical PAs, who can significantly enhance their earnings through first-assist billing in procedures. The salary range for this occupation spans from $115,889 at the 10th percentile to $211,899 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a competitive job market. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost considerations, which bear import for prospective PAs looking at their future earnings. With a growing focus on surgical specialties, Linden presents lucrative opportunities for skilled practitioners in this field, making it an appealing location for those navigating their PA careers.
About the Linden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $115,889 | $55.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,986 | $66.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,341 | $76.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,427 | $90.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,899 | $101.87 |
Median Salary Position
12.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Linden
In Linden, NJ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,010 (2026 est.). At $158,341, the local median is 12.79% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Linden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Linden Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Linden median: $158,341/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Linden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $161,737 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +12.79% more |
Physician Assistants in Linden, NJ earn a median of $158,341 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.79% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $161,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Linden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Linden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,341 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,449 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,613
2025 BLS Actual
$153,253
2026 Current Est.
$158,341
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Linden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,613 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,143 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,068 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,644 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,341 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,598 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Linden metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $126,613 (2019) to $153,253 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,598 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,985 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Linden 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $115,889 – $138,986 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,986 – $158,341 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,341 – $187,427 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,427 – $211,899 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Linden
With only seven physician assistants currently employed in Linden, the job market is specialized yet relatively small. The local cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating that residents may face higher living expenses compared to the national average. This factor naturally affects take-home pay and purchasing power for PAs in the region. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly those in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, often offer the most competitive salaries. The variation in compensation in Linden is driven by several factors, including specialty focus, case volume, and the payment structures of employers—contractual agreements with 1099 locum agencies or hospital employment typically reflect different pay scales. For those aiming to maximize their physician assistant pay in Linden, aligning with high-need specialties such as surgery can be a strategic move.
More salary data for Linden, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $153,253 for physician assistantsin the Linden metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Linden 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