Physical Therapist Aide salary in Tennessee
Physical Therapist Aides in Tennessee earn a median of $30,320 a year ($14.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,830 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,240. Tennessee ranks 38th of 50 states for physical therapist aides pay. There are 0.22 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $31,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,220 | $10.20 |
| 25th percentile | $25,700 | $12.36 |
| Median | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| 75th percentile | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Average (mean) | $31,470 | $15.13 |
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 | $2,526.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,263.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,166.15 |
| Weekly | $583.08 |
| Hourly | $14.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,780 | 140 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $30,900 | 200 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,200 | 120 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Orderly | $31,840 | $15.31 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in Tennessee is $30,320 a year, or $14.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in Tennessee earn at least $42,830 a year. The top 25% earn $35,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,220 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $25,700 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Tennessee?
About 710 physical therapist aides are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.