Physical Therapist salary in Knoxville, TN
Physical Therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $96,110 a year ($46.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,190 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $100,140. There are 1.4 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,960, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,850 | $31.18 |
| 25th percentile | $75,950 | $36.52 |
| Median | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| 75th percentile | $101,510 | $48.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Average (mean) | $92,960 | $44.69 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $8,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,004.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,696.54 |
| Weekly | $1,848.27 |
| Hourly | $46.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $103,380 | 1,400 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $100,000 | 800 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $99,120 | 520 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $98,690 | 230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $97,810 | 130 |
| Morristown, TN | $97,150 | 80 |
| Johnson City, TN | $96,660 | 180 |
| Jackson, TN | $96,610 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $79,230 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. 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 make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $96,110 a year, or $46.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $124,190 a year. The top 25% earn $101,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,850 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $75,950 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 590 physical therapists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.