Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Nashville, TN: $108,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Nashville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $108,476 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Nashville's local price level (BEA RPP 96.3 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $112,599 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($133,334) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, prospective physician assistants entering the workforce in 2026 can expect a starting pay around $108,476 annually. While this amount is slightly lower than the median annual salary of $133,334 for all physician assistants in the city, it's important for new grads to recognize that their first role is often just a stepping stone. The salary range for entry-level positions can vary significantly, from $108,476 up to $155,786, and most new professionals can anticipate a growth trajectory that sees their pay increase to approximately $114,809 within their first few years. Despite the challenges of entering a competitive job market, Nashville remains a favorable location for new graduates, thanks to its growing healthcare sector and the demand for skilled physician assistants.
Career Earnings Timeline in Nashville
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 Nashville
Entry-level physician assistants in Nashville, TN typically start between $108,476 and $114,809 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,310 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $133,334 — 5.03% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Tennessee of $75,000 represents just 69.14% of the starting physician assistant pay ($108,476/year) in Nashville. 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 Nashville
- 1Research the Nashville market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $108,476 to $114,809, 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 Nashville, 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 Nashville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Nashville's moderate 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 Nashville is $47,310 ( 43.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $108,476, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,786.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,390
2025 BLS Actual
$104,990
2026 Current Est.
$108,476
2019–2027 Growth
+216.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,077 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Nashville, TN grew 196.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,390 in 2019 to $104,990 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $112,077. New graduates entering the Nashville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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 Nashville
Employers in Nashville that typically hire new grad physician assistants include primary care facilities, urgent care clinics, and hospital medicine groups. These organizations often have structured onboarding processes to help new professionals acclimate to the workforce smoothly. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs may recruit through residency or fellowship pipelines, providing further opportunities for career advancement. To enhance starting physician assistant salary in Nashville, credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a state PA license are essential. New graduates can also pursue continuing education to specialize in subspecialties, which may lead to higher salaries. In the first three years, realistic salary growth is achievable, especially for those in surgical roles, as this sector tends to offer the highest remuneration, particularly due to first-assist billing practices. Understanding the nuances of state laws governing PA scope of practice, along with collaboration with supervising physicians, can greatly influence a new grad's career trajectory and earning potential.
More salary data for Nashville, 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 Nashville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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