Physician Assistant salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Physician Assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $121,900 a year ($58.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,570 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $118,240. There are 0.48 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $120,440, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| 25th percentile | $104,950 | $50.46 |
| Median | $121,900 | $58.61 |
| 75th percentile | $128,450 | $61.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,570 | $71.43 |
| Average (mean) | $120,440 | $57.91 |
Half of physician assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,079.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,688.46 |
| Weekly | $2,344.23 |
| Hourly | $58.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $121,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $130,810 | 180 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $129,050 | 750 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $124,870 | 40 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $122,720 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $121,710 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $121,600 | 180 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $119,840 | 70 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $117,660 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $117,490 | 130 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $109,110 | 340 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $108,420 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $107,980 | 240 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $105,920 | 60 |
| Jackson, TN | $104,600 | 60 |
| Morristown, TN | $103,350 | 30 |
| Jackson, MS | $101,830 | 110 |
| Johnson City, TN | $100,060 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $256,240 | $123.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $298,620 | $143.57 |
| Veterinarian | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| Dentists, General | $238,040 | $114.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,310 | $34.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $121,900 a year, or $58.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $148,570 a year. The top 25% earn $128,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,700 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $104,950 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 290 physician assistants are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.