Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Murfreesboro, TN: $95,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Murfreesboro, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $95,876 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Murfreesboro's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $104,440 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,972) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graduates entering the physician assistant field in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, can expect a starting salary of around $95,876, which presents a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $130,972. This initial salary level typically positions new PAs at the 10th percentile, indicating that while early-career professionals may face challenges in earning more immediately, there is still a promising trajectory for growth. Over the course of the first three to five years, entry-level PAs may see their salaries rise toward the 25th percentile, estimated at $115,681, as they gain experience and clinical proficiency. Given the overall positive employment landscape and the anticipated annual growth rate of 3.32% in the field, Murfreesboro represents a viable market for new graduates eager to launch their careers in healthcare.
About the Murfreesboro Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Murfreesboro
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 Murfreesboro
Entry-level physician assistants in Murfreesboro, TN typically start between $95,876 and $115,681 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $90,034 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,972 — 6.71% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Tennessee of $75,000 represents just 78.23% of the starting physician assistant pay ($95,876/year) in Murfreesboro. 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 Murfreesboro
- 1Research the Murfreesboro market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $95,876 to $115,681, 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 Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Murfreesboro'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 Murfreesboro is $90,034 ( 93.91%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $95,876, experienced hygienists can earn up to $185,910.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,902
2025 BLS Actual
$92,795
2026 Current Est.
$95,876
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,902 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,618 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,563 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,795 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,059 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Murfreesboro, TN grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,902 in 2019 to $92,795 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $99,059. New graduates entering the Murfreesboro job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro
Prospective new PAs in Murfreesboro may find promising opportunities primarily within primary care and urgent care settings, which often hire new grads and provide structured onboarding programs. Additionally, specialized surgical practices may recruit through PA residency or fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups typically offer flexible night-only schedules. To enhance their starting physician assistant salary in Murfreesboro, candidates should focus on earning credentials that validate their skills, including obtaining a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, achieving NCCPA certification, and obtaining a state PA license along with DEA registration. As PAs navigate their early years, those pursuing careers in surgical specialties, such as orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, may command higher salaries due to first-assist billing strategies. Within the local context, realistic salary growth expectations for the first three years in or around Murfreesboro include reaching positions that not only meet but potentially exceed the city’s median, provided they remain diligent in enhancing their credentials and expanding their professional experiences.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Murfreesboro 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