Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Murfreesboro, TN: $62.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Murfreesboro, TN runs $62.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,972 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Murfreesboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,578 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Murfreesboro, TN, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $62.96 in 2026, which represents a modest reduction compared to the national median hourly rate of $67.50. This hourly figure is especially pertinent for part-time and per-diem roles within typical clinical environments such as operating rooms, hospital floors, emergency departments, ambulatory clinics, urgent care facilities, and procedure suites. The hourly pay for physician assistants in the area shows a range from $46.09 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as much as $89.38 for experienced professionals in the top 90th percentile. It’s crucial to recognize that these hourly rates are derived from estimated annual salary data, revealing a significant earning potential that draws a mix of clinicians seeking flexible work arrangements.
About the Murfreesboro Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.09 | $368.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.62 | $444.94 |
| Median (P50) | $62.96 | $503.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.09 | $624.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.38 | $715.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Murfreesboro
Based on $62.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.96/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Murfreesboro, TN can expect to earn approximately $130,963 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,556. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Murfreesboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Murfreesboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,518.53 | $10,914 | $130,963 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,511.12 | $6,548 | $78,578 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,007.41 | $4,365 | $52,385 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Murfreesboro) | $62.96 |
| 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 Murfreesboro, TN earn a median of $130,972 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 7.90% above the Tennessee state average of $121,382.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.96/hr = $78,578/year (purchasing power: $85,597).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,963/year (purchasing power: $142,662).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Murfreesboro grew 21.0% from $50.35/hr (2019) to $60.94/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.05/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Murfreesboro
Shifting focus to part-time opportunities, a physician assistant working three days a week, averaging 24 hours, can expect to earn approximately $78,220 annually based on their hourly rate. This figure contrasts sharply with full-time PAs, underscoring the appeal of part-time schedules for many practitioners looking to balance work with personal life. For those considering per diem physician assistant pay in Murfreesboro, the compensation can escalate significantly, particularly in specialized fields. Locum positions often command rates between $75 and $130 per hour, while orthopedic surgical PAs can charge $1,200 to $1,800 daily for operating room coverage. Emergency medicine shifts also tend to pay well, frequently ranging from $900 to $1,400 for a 12-hour shift. Employer type heavily influences hourly rates; those positioned in hospital systems may receive steady W-2 employment with benefits, while others in surgical practices or urgent care may opt for 1099 roles that offer higher hourly rates but lack benefits. Thus, many PAs face trade-offs between higher pay versus the security of full-time roles with health insurance. Understanding these dynamics allows PAs in Murfreesboro to effectively negotiate their remuneration in line with personal priorities and professional goals.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Murfreesboro in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Murfreesboro?
Are physician assistants in Murfreesboro paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Murfreesboro?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Murfreesboro?
Related Pages
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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 Murfreesboro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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