Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Tennessee
Physical Therapist Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $62,500 a year ($30.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,800 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $68,380. Tennessee ranks 39th of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 1.0 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Median | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| 75th percentile | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Average (mean) | $64,060 | $30.80 |
Half of physical therapist 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 | $5,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,604.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,403.85 |
| Weekly | $1,201.92 |
| Hourly | $30.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $65,650 | 830 |
| Cleveland, TN | $64,290 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,270 | 100 |
| Morristown, TN | $63,940 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,620 | 160 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $62,360 | 340 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,560 | 490 |
| Jackson, TN | $60,980 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $60,280 | 440 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,160 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| 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 31-2021. 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 assistant make in Tennessee?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Tennessee is $62,500 a year, or $30.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Tennessee earn at least $80,800 a year. The top 25% earn $76,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,010 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $55,890 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Tennessee?
About 3,390 physical therapist assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.