Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $53.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Knoxville, TN runs $53.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,565 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,934 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, TN, the median hourly pay for a physician assistant stands at $53.63, notably lower than the national median of $67.50. For professionals working part-time—such as those on a three-day workweek schedule—this translates to a monthly income that reflects the flexibility often sought in medical roles. The hourly range for physician assistants in the area begins at $45.52 for entry-level positions, rising to $70.37 for experienced practitioners. This data, sourced from the 2025 BLS, projected to 2026, illustrates the compensation framework that encompasses various healthcare settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics, where per diem arrangements can be advantageous for both staff and facilities.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.52 | $364.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.67 | $397.33 |
| Median (P50) | $53.63 | $429.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.19 | $497.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.37 | $562.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $53.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.63/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $111,557 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,360. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,145.34 | $9,296 | $111,557 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,287.20 | $5,578 | $66,934 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $858.13 | $3,719 | $44,623 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Knoxville) | $53.63 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $111,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.53% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 8.10% below the Tennessee state average of $121,398.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.63/hr = $66,934/year (purchasing power: $72,308).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,557/year (purchasing power: $120,513).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Knoxville grew 4.9% from $49.49/hr (2019) to $51.91/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Knoxville
When considering part-time work, a physician assistant who operates 24 hours a week would see an annual income significantly lower than that of their full-time counterparts. For those in locum or per diem positions, the financial prospects can vary considerably; while agency PAs can charge rates anywhere from $75-$130 per hour based on specialty, surgical assistants in orthopedics often earn daily rates ranging from $1,200-$1,800 for operating room coverage. This variability reflects the broader spectrum of employer types in Knoxville, which includes hospital systems, specialty clinics, and urgent care chains. While some physician assistants may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may pursue opportunities at 1099 locum agencies for potentially higher pay without fringe benefits. Negotiating effectively for hourly compensation can play a decisive role in maximizing earnings in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Knoxville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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