Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Collierville, TN: $86,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Collierville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $86,466 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Collierville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $94,190 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($121,662) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the entry-level physician assistant salary in Collierville, TN starts at approximately $86,466. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for new graduates, highlighting a gap from the city’s median annual salary of $121,662. For fresh graduates entering the workforce, realistic salary expectations can range from the starting point of $86,466 up to about $105,620 within the first few years. With an annual growth trajectory of 3.32%, new PAs in the area have the potential to improve their earnings significantly as they gain experience. Collierville presents a favorable market for new grads, providing ample opportunities for employment while enjoying a relatively low cost of living index of 91.8 compared to the national average.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Collierville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collierville
Entry-level physician assistants in Collierville, TN typically start between $86,466 and $105,620 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,997 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $121,662 — 13.34% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Tennessee of $75,000 represents just 86.74% of the starting physician assistant pay ($86,466/year) in Collierville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Collierville
- 1Research the Collierville market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $86,466 to $105,620, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Collierville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Collierville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Collierville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Collierville is $77,997 ( 90.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $86,466, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,463.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,238
2025 BLS Actual
$83,688
2026 Current Est.
$86,466
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Collierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,238 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,589 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,633 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,656 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,347 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,688 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,337 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Collierville, TN grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,238 in 2019 to $83,688 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $89,337. New graduates entering the Collierville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Collierville
In Collierville, various employers seek to hire new graduate physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, where structured onboarding programs are common. Interestingly, surgical subspecialty practices may recruit through residency and fellowship pathways for PAs who have completed advanced training. Moreover, hospital medicine groups often provide evening shifts that may appeal to early-career professionals. To maximize starting salaries, potential PAs should pursue credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a state license, in addition to obtaining DEA registration. In the competitive job market, engaging in continuing education and potentially earning a Certificate of Added Qualifications can also boost earning potential. Generally, salaries for new grads can expect a steady increment in the first few years, particularly for PAs specializing in high-demand fields such as orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, where first-assist billing enhances compensation.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Collierville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collierville 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