What is the career path for a Physician Assistant?

Entry-level PAs earn $95,000 to $105,000 in their first role. Nashville's COL multiplier amplifies compensation at senior levels.

What certifications help Physician Assistants earn more in Nashville?

Certifications add 5 to 15% to Physician Assistant salaries in Nashville. They help bridge the gap between the median of $118,000 and the 75th percentile of $138,000.

Physician Assistant.

Nashville.

$118,000

median salary, at the national average

$102,000 to $138,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

A Physician Assistant in Nashville earns a median of $118,000 in 2026. That is right at the national average. The range runs from $102,000 to $138,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest PA salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$102,000

per year

Median

$118,000

per year

75th Percentile

$138,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$102,000$138,000

How Nashville compares

Nashville, TN

$118,000

Cost of living: at average

National Average

$118,000

Same as local rate

What you should know

The Physician Assistant landscape in Nashville is not what most salary sites will tell you. Nashville has diversified well beyond music into healthcare, finance, and technology. The city is home to HCA Healthcare and a growing corridor of health tech startups. Nashville's moderate cost of living, combined with Tennessee's lack of state income tax on wages, makes it increasingly popular for corporate relocations and remote workers. Surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest PA salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care. Geographic location matters significantly, with rural and underserved areas offering premium pay to attract talent. Experience in procedural skills and first-assist certification further boost compensation.

Entry-level PAs earn $95,000 to $105,000 in their first role. Mid-career PAs with specialty experience reach $120,000 to $135,000. Senior PAs in surgical specialties or leadership positions can command $145,000 to $165,000 with additional administrative responsibilities. In Nashville, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.

Base salary is not the full picture. PAs commonly receive productivity bonuses, CME allowances of $2,000 to $5,000 annually, malpractice insurance, and relocation assistance. Hospital systems often add shift differentials for nights, weekends, and call coverage. And on the tax side: tennessee has no state income tax on wages or salaries. This gives Nashville workers a meaningful take home advantage over peers in states with 5 to 10% income tax rates. When someone quotes you $118,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Use the healthcare industry concentration as leverage. Nashville healthcare employers are accustomed to national pay scales and will often match or beat coastal health sector offers. The range for Physician Assistants in Nashville runs from $102,000 to $138,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Nashville

HealthcareMusic & EntertainmentFinance & InsuranceTechnologyTourism

Negotiating in Nashville

Use the healthcare industry concentration as leverage. Nashville healthcare employers are accustomed to national pay scales and will often match or beat coastal health sector offers.

Common questions.

Surgical PAs earn 20 to 30% more than primary care PAs on average. Orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery PAs often exceed $140,000, while family medicine PAs typically fall in the $105,000 to $120,000 range.

Many PAs receive productivity bonuses tied to relative value units or patient encounters. These bonuses can add $5,000 to $20,000 annually, particularly in high-volume practices where PAs manage their own patient panels independently.

Tennessee has no state income tax on wages or salaries. This gives Nashville workers a meaningful take home advantage over peers in states with 5 to 10% income tax rates. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Entry-level PAs earn $95,000 to $105,000 in their first role. Mid-career PAs with specialty experience reach $120,000 to $135,000. Senior PAs in surgical specialties or leadership positions can command $145,000 to $165,000 with additional administrative responsibilities. In Nashville, each step up the ladder is amplified by the local cost of living multiplier, which means senior roles pay proportionally more than in lower cost markets.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to a Physician Assistant's base salary in Nashville. Specifically, surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest pa salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care. In a market where the range spans $102,000 to $138,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the 50th and 75th percentile.