Physician Assistant salary in Tennessee
Physician Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $118,240 a year ($56.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,670 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $135,880. Tennessee ranks 48th of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 0.68 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $117,300, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,380 | $44.89 |
| 25th percentile | $102,690 | $49.37 |
| Median | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| 75th percentile | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,670 | $68.11 |
| Average (mean) | $117,300 | $56.39 |
Half of physician assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,853.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,926.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,547.69 |
| Weekly | $2,273.85 |
| Hourly | $56.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $129,050 | 750 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $121,900 | 290 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $121,710 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $121,600 | 180 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $117,490 | 130 |
| Knoxville, TN | $107,980 | 240 |
| Jackson, TN | $104,600 | 60 |
| Morristown, TN | $103,350 | 30 |
| Johnson City, TN | $100,060 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Tennessee?
The median salary for physician assistants in Tennessee is $118,240 a year, or $56.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Tennessee earn at least $141,670 a year. The top 25% earn $132,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,380 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $102,690 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Tennessee?
About 2,240 physician assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.