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Physician Assistant Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Physician Assistant pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $118,240/yr — 13% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #48 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Physician Assistant.

Median salary
$118,240/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$102,690 – $132,500
National median
$135,880/yr
Employed in Tennessee
2,240

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$118,240
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $128,662
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #46 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #48 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do physician assistant professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $118,240 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $102,690 and $132,500. That's 13% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for physician assistant?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #48 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $128,662. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #46 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #48 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are physician assistant professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 2,240 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +20.4% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Physician Assistant nationally — Tennessee pay is 13% below the national median. See the full Physician Assistant career guide →

The verdict

Yes — physician assistant offers near-physician-level pay and scope with far less training than medical school, plus very fast growth. The catch is a competitive, demanding master's program and significant debt.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay with much-faster-than-average growth
  • Broad medical scope without med school or residency
  • Flexibility to switch specialties
  • Strong job security and demand
  • Shorter path than becoming a physician

Cons

  • Competitive, intense master's program
  • Significant graduate debt
  • High responsibility and liability
  • Demanding hours in some specialties
  • Prerequisite clinical hours before applying

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting medical work without med school
  • Those who can handle a rigorous graduate program
  • Anyone valuing specialty flexibility

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to take on graduate debt
  • Those seeking a quick, low-barrier entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Physician Assistant is worth it — titles link to the original threads.