SOC 29-1071 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physician Assistants — South Central Tennessee
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
In South Central Tennessee, TN the median wage is $116,440.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Central Tennessee, TN the median wage is $116,440. That is 14.3% lower than the national median of $135,880. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $80,000 and $127,650. The lowest tenth earn under $79,990, while the highest tenth earn more than $132,180.
Nashville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $129,050. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 10th of 322 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $79,990 | −41.1% |
| 25th | $80,000 | −41.1% |
| Median (50th) | $116,440 | −14.3% |
| 75th | $127,650 | −6.1% |
| 90th | $132,180 | −2.7% |
| Mean | $111,430 | −18.0% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $129,050 | 750 | |
| 2 | Memphis | $121,900 | 290 | |
| 3 | Clarksville | $121,710 | 80 | |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $121,600 | 180 | |
| 5 | Kingsport | $117,490 | 130 | |
| 6 | Knoxville | $107,980 | 240 | |
| 7 | Jackson | $104,600 | 60 | |
| 8 | Morristown | $103,350 | 30 | |
| 9 | Johnson City | $100,060 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $116,440 goes as far as $126,703 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$116,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$126,703US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $116,440 a year, 14.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $79,990 to $132,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $129,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physician Assistants in South Central Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $116,440, or $55.98 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $135,880, so pay in South Central Tennessee, TN is 14.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Central Tennessee, TN earns more than $132,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $79,990 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Nashville, at $129,050 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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