Physical Therapist Aide salary in Knoxville, TN
Physical Therapist Aides in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $30,200 a year ($14.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,120 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $30,320. There are 0.27 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,910 | $10.05 |
| 25th percentile | $22,740 | $10.93 |
| Median | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| 75th percentile | $38,280 | $18.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Average (mean) | $32,530 | $15.64 |
Half of physical therapist aides 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 | $2,516.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,258.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,161.54 |
| Weekly | $580.77 |
| Hourly | $14.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,780 | 140 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $30,900 | 200 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $29,730 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $28,610 | 110 |
| Johnson City, TN | $20,140 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
See Physical Therapist Aide pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Medical Assistant | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,260 | $20.80 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. 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 physical therapist aide make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $30,200 a year, or $14.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $43,120 a year. The top 25% earn $38,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,910 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $22,740 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Knoxville, TN?
About 120 physical therapist aides are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.