Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Murfreesboro, TN: $185,910 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Murfreesboro, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $185,910/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Murfreesboro's price premium (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $202,516 in average-cost America. The 42% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Murfreesboro, TN, the potential for experienced physician assistants to earn top-tier salaries is quite favorable in 2026. Specifically, those reaching the 90th percentile can expect annual compensation of around $185,910, while the 75th percentile offers a respectable $162,417. This considerable gap highlights the potential rewards for those with over seven years of experience, as compared to the median annual salary of $130,972. Achieving such high earnings often requires PAs to specialize in high-demand areas such as surgery or emergency medicine, where advanced skills and clinical excellence significantly influence compensation. Understanding the complexities of the market and pursuing advanced certifications can further enhance earning potential for established professionals.
About the Murfreesboro Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murfreesboro
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Murfreesboro earn between $162,417 and $185,910 per year (2026 est.). This $90,034 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Murfreesboro median of $130,972 sits 6.71% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Murfreesboro | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $130,972 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,417 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $185,910 | $196,597 |
In Murfreesboro, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 41.95% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Murfreesboro
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $130,972 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Murfreesboro employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Murfreesboro command premium compensation, often reaching the $162,417–$185,910 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMurfreesboro ranks #1 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $185,910).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Murfreesboro ($185,910) is 22.01% above the Tennessee average P90 ($152,372).
2019 BLS Actual
$148,579
2025 BLS Actual
$179,936
2026 Current Est.
$185,910
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,579 | Actual |
| 2020 | $153,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $155,671 | Actual |
| 2022 | $158,981 | Actual |
| 2023 | $161,506 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $179,936 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $185,910 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $192,082 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Murfreesboro saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $148,579 in 2019 to $179,936 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 $192,082 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Murfreesboro
To break down the factors responsible for the variations in senior physician assistant pay in TN, several specialties emerge as leading contenders for higher wages. In Murfreesboro, surgical physician assistants—particularly those specializing in orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and critical care—command premium salaries due to the complexity of their work and the stringent demands on their skills. Compensation packages also differ based on the type of employer; for instance, PAs employed by hospital systems often follow W-2 structures, whereas those in surgical specialty practices or working as locum tenens may benefit from more flexible 1099 arrangements that could lead to higher hourly rates. Beyond specialty choice, pursuing advanced credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program or obtaining a Certificate of Added Qualifications can significantly boost salaries. Non-salary factors, including case volume, RVU productivity bonuses, and call coverage, are also crucial in determining the overall compensation landscape for seasoned physician assistants in Murfreesboro.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Murfreesboro in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Murfreesboro?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Murfreesboro?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Murfreesboro?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Murfreesboro?
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 $179,936 for physician assistants in the Murfreesboro 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 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