Physician Assistant Salary in Clarksville, TN: $125,751 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Clarksville, TN earns a median $125,751/year (≈ $60.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $138,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Clarksville, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $125,751 in 2026, reflecting their roles in both surgical and primary care settings. The salary range for this profession spans from $103,206 at the 10th percentile to $146,239 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse market influenced by specialty demand. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projected to 2026, indicates that while the pay remains competitive, it trails the national median of $140,391 by approximately 10.43%. The local market, characterized by its emphasis on various medical specialties, provides vital insights into potential earnings and professional growth opportunities for PAs navigating their careers in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,206 | $49.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,099 | $51.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,751 | $60.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,705 | $66.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,239 | $70.31 |
Median Salary Position
10.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,033 (2026 est.). At $125,751, the local median is 10.43% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be above the median
How Clarksville Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $125,751/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $121,381 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -10.43% less |
Physician Assistants in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $125,751 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.43% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.60% above the Tennessee state average of $121,381.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 90.947 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $125,751 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,268 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,570
2025 BLS Actual
$121,710
2026 Current Est.
$125,751
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
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 | $105,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,461 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,751 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,926 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 15.3% from $105,570 (2019) to $121,710 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,926 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,356 (23.07%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $103,206 – $106,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,099 – $125,751 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,751 – $137,705 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,705 – $146,239 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Clarksville
The job market in Clarksville features around 80 physician assistants, demonstrating a solid demand for their services. With a cost-of-living index of 90.947, living expenses are generally lower compared to national averages, which enhances the purchasing power of local PAs. Employers such as hospital systems and specialized practices—including orthopedics and cardiothoracic—tend to offer higher salaries, especially for those engaged in surgical duty where billing for first-assist roles is common. The disparity in compensation often stems from variations in specialty focus—surgical roles typically earning more than those in emergency or primary care settings—as well as factors like call coverage and RVU productivity incentives. To maximize earnings, PAs should strategically assess job opportunities within higher-paying sectors while also considering locum tenens options, which often provide flexible schedules and attractive hourly rates.
More salary data for Clarksville, 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 $121,710 for physician assistantsin the Clarksville 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, 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