Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Collierville, TN: $164,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Collierville, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $164,463/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Collierville's price premium (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $179,154 in average-cost America. The 35% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the potential for elevated earnings among experienced physician assistants in Collierville, Tennessee, is noteworthy, with top-tier salaries reaching as high as $164,463 for the 90th percentile. This amount reflects the premium earned by those who achieve senior-level expertise, especially against a median annual salary of $121,662. The gap between the median and top earners illustrates the significant rewards for specialized skills and advanced credentials. Achieving this elite level of pay requires extensive experience, typically over seven years, along with continued professional development and potentially a focus on sought-after specialties within the healthcare sector.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collierville
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Collierville earn between $146,478 and $164,463 per year (2026 est.). This $77,997 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Collierville median of $121,662 sits 13.34% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Collierville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $121,662 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,478 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $164,463 | $196,597 |
In Collierville, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 35.18% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Collierville
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $121,662 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Collierville employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Collierville command premium compensation, often reaching the $146,478–$164,463 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Collierville 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 Collierville 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 Collierville
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCollierville ranks #9 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $164,463).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Collierville ($164,463) is 7.94% above the Tennessee average P90 ($152,372).
2019 BLS Actual
$131,438
2025 BLS Actual
$159,178
2026 Current Est.
$164,463
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Collierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,438 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,914 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,712 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,874 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,165 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,178 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,923 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Collierville saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $131,438 in 2019 to $159,178 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 $169,923 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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 Collierville
Analyzing the compensation dynamics further reveals that certain specializations in Collierville command substantial pay premiums. Surgical physician assistants, particularly those in orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, and neurosurgery, consistently rank among the highest earners, while emergency medicine and critical care also offer competitive salaries. Compensation structures vary widely depending on the employer type; hospital systems typically provide robust W-2 salaries, whereas surgical specialty practices and locum agencies may offer lucrative 1099 arrangements. Career advancement plays a critical role in pay growth; positions such as lead PA, surgical first assist coordinator, and director of a PA residency program present opportunities for increased responsibility and income. Advanced credentials, including a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification, significantly enhance earning potential in TN’s healthcare landscape. In addition to direct salaries, factors like first-assist case volume and productivity bonuses further influence overall compensation for senior physician assistants in this region.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Collierville in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Collierville?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Collierville?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Collierville?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Collierville?
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 $159,178 for physician assistants in the Collierville 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
Salary data for Collierville 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