Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $175,220 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Atlantic City, NJ — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $175,220/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Atlantic City's price premium (BEA RPP 98.9, 1% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $177,246 in average-cost America. The 11% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
The earning potential for experienced physician assistants in Atlantic City, NJ, is significant, especially for those who have honed their skills over the years. With a median annual salary projected at $158,369 for 2026, the top-tier professionals can command salaries as high as $175,220. This remarkable figure, along with the P75 earning projection of $164,868, highlights the lucrative opportunities available for senior physician assistants in this coastal city. When compared to the national top earner figures, Atlantic City’s compensation reflects a healthy gap due to the experience premium, where seasoned professionals see discernibly higher income potential and enhanced career opportunities. Achieving these top-tier pay levels requires a blend of advanced qualifications, specializations, and possibly leadership roles that position these professionals at the forefront of the healthcare field.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Atlantic City earn between $164,868 and $175,220 per year (2026 est.). This $82,284 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Atlantic City median of $158,369 sits 12.81% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Atlantic City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $158,369 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,868 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $175,220 | $196,597 |
In Atlantic City, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 10.64% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Atlantic City
Advanced Certifications in New Jersey
NJ physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $158,369 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Atlantic City employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Atlantic City command premium compensation, often reaching the $164,868–$175,220 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Atlantic City metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Atlantic City with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in New Jersey who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Atlantic City
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedAtlantic City ranks #61 of 61 New Jersey cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $175,220).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Atlantic City ($175,220) is 18.66% below the New Jersey average P90 ($215,408).
2019 BLS Actual
$152,450
2025 BLS Actual
$169,590
2026 Current Est.
$175,220
2019–2027 Growth
+18.8%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $152,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,220 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,038 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Atlantic City saw their compensation grow 11.2% from $152,450 in 2019 to $169,590 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $181,038 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Atlantic City
In the competitive landscape of Atlantic City, specialized physician assistants in domains such as surgical settings, emergency medicine, and critical care have a distinct advantage in terms of compensation. For instance, surgical first assistants in orthopedics or cardiothoracic specialties tend to secure higher salary packages due to the complexity and demand of their work. Compensation varies significantly depending on the employer type, with hospitals and surgical specialty practices typically offering more robust salaries compared to primary care offices or urgent care clinics. Senior physician assistants often move into leadership roles, such as lead PA or even hospital chief PA, which can further increase their earning potential. Advanced credentials also enhance marketability and pay in NJ; holding a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and achieving NCCPA certification could be game-changers. It’s essential to also consider non-salary factors, including call coverage, RVU productivity bonuses, and case volume, which all play a crucial role in total compensation for top-tier PAs in Atlantic City.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Atlantic City in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Atlantic City?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Atlantic City?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Atlantic City?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Atlantic City?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $169,590 for physician assistants in the Atlantic City metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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