Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $60.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Memphis, TN runs $60.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,947 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,574 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Memphis, Tennessee, the physician assistant hourly pay for 2026 projects a median of $60.56 per hour, which is below the national median of $67.50 per hour. This hourly rate is relevant for part-time workers, such as those opting for a typical schedule of three days a week, which allows for more flexibility in work-life balance. For per-diem physician assistants, working in diverse settings like operating rooms, emergency departments, and clinics becomes a lucrative opportunity, with entry-level hourly rates starting at $47.04 and top earners reaching $73.80 per hour. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that this range allows for a spectrum of earnings that suits various personal and professional goals.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.04 | $376.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.14 | $417.08 |
| Median (P50) | $60.56 | $484.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.81 | $510.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.80 | $590.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis
Based on $60.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.56/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $125,956 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,667. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Memphis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,422.23 | $10,496 | $125,956 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,453.34 | $6,298 | $75,574 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $968.89 | $4,199 | $50,382 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Memphis) | $60.56 |
| 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 Memphis, TN earn a median of $125,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.29% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.80% above the Tennessee state average of $121,336.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.56/hr = $75,574/year (purchasing power: $81,986).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,956/year (purchasing power: $136,643).
CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Memphis grew 17.1% from $50.03/hr (2019) to $58.61/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.57/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 Memphis 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 Memphis
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time physician assistants reveals interesting financial dynamics. A PA working just three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can expect to take home around $75,000 annually. In contrast, full-time counterparts benefit more from employer-provided health insurance. Per diem and locum tenens roles present different earning scenarios, with rates ranging from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on specialty. For instance, surgical PAs in orthopedics can command up to $1,800 per day for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine shifts could bring in between $900 and $1,400 for a 12-hour day. Varying employer types also influence these rates; hospitals often offer stability alongside benefits, while surgical practices might pay higher hourly amounts without additional perks. This presents trade-offs many physician assistants in Memphis must consider when negotiating their pay, especially as the demand grows for skilled professionals under the Optimal Team Practice model endorsed by the AAPA.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Memphis in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Memphis?
Are physician assistants in Memphis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Memphis?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Memphis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Memphis. 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