Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Clarksville, TN: $146,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Clarksville, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $146,239/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Clarksville's price premium (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $160,796 in average-cost America. The 16% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the salary potential for seasoned physician assistants in Clarksville, TN, showcases the significant earning capacity that can be achieved through extensive experience and specialization. The upper tier of the pay spectrum reaches up to $146,239, demonstrating that P90 earners can significantly outpace their peers, reflecting a notable experience premium over the median annual salary of $125,751. This substantial gap between median and top earners emphasizes the financial rewards available to those who are willing to invest years in their career and pursue pathways that lead to advanced roles. Achieving this level of compensation typically requires a combination of specialized training, ongoing education, and a proven track record of successful clinical practice.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Clarksville earn between $137,705 and $146,239 per year (2026 est.). This $43,033 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Clarksville median of $125,751 sits 10.43% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Clarksville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $125,751 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $137,705 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $146,239 | $196,597 |
In Clarksville, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 16.29% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Clarksville
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $125,751 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Clarksville employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Clarksville command premium compensation, often reaching the $137,705–$146,239 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Clarksville metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Clarksville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Clarksville
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedClarksville ranks #26 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $146,239).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Clarksville ($146,239) is 4.03% below the Tennessee average P90 ($152,372).
2019 BLS Actual
$128,820
2025 BLS Actual
$141,540
2026 Current Est.
$146,239
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,042 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,094 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Clarksville saw their compensation grow 9.9% from $128,820 in 2019 to $141,540 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $151,094 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Clarksville
In Clarksville, certain specializations elevate the compensation landscape for senior physician assistants. Roles in surgical specialties, such as orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery, command particularly high salaries due to the complexities involved in procedures and the first-assist billing capabilities. Additionally, physician assistants working in emergency medicine, critical care, or dermatology often see enhanced financial packages that differ significantly from those in primary care settings. Notably, the choice between employment structures can also heavily influence pay, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 positions that include benefits, while surgical specialty practices and locum tenens agencies may provide more lucrative 1099 opportunities. Senior PAs with leadership aspirations can pursue roles such as surgical first assist coordinator, PA program faculty, or hospital chief PA, always keeping in mind that advanced accreditations and certifications can further enhance their marketability and salary prospects in Tennessee.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Clarksville in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Clarksville?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Clarksville?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Clarksville?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Clarksville?
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $141,540 for physician assistants in the Clarksville metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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