Physician Assistant Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $125,637 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $125,637/year (≈ $60.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $137,362 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $125,637 for 2026, physician assistants in Chattanooga, TN, have a compensation package that reflects both the demand for their services and the local healthcare ecosystem. The salary range varies significantly, spanning from $102,834 for the lower 10% to $145,464 for the upper 90%, based on official BLS OEWS surveys. This compensation figures prominently within the context of the first-assist billing model prevalent in surgical settings, where PAs can significantly boost their earnings, particularly in high-demand specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. Such financial dynamics highlight the competitive position of Chattanooga in the broader healthcare job market, especially for those pursuing roles in surgical or procedural care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,834 | $49.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,143 | $51.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,637 | $60.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,095 | $65.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,464 | $69.94 |
Median Salary Position
10.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,630 (2026 est.). At $125,637, the local median is 10.51% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be above the median
How Chattanooga Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $125,637/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $121,389 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -10.51% less |
Physician Assistants in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $125,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.51% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.50% above the Tennessee state average of $121,389.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $125,637 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,362 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,520
2025 BLS Actual
$121,600
2026 Current Est.
$125,637
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,637 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 9.0% from $111,520 (2019) to $121,600 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,288 (16.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $102,834 – $107,143 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,143 – $125,637 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,637 – $137,095 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,095 – $145,464 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Chattanooga
Analyzing the local job market further reveals that Chattanooga employs approximately 180 physician assistants, a number that suggests a stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living index stands at 91.464, which is below the national average, indicating that the relatively high take-home pay can stretch further in this region. Among the highest-paying employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices notably offer attractive compensation packages, reflecting the heightened demand for skilled PAs. Variability in pay is influenced by factors such as specialty focus, case volume for surgical first assists, and differences in practice structures—hospital employment versus private practice or locum tenens arrangements. To maximize earnings in Chattanooga, PAs should consider pursuing opportunities in specialties where they can leverage both high first-assist volumes and RVU productivity bonuses. Focusing on continuous professional development and exploring roles in emergency departments or specialty clinics could also enhance their earning potential in this market.
More salary data for Chattanooga, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $121,600 for physician assistantsin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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