Physical Therapist salary in Tennessee
Physical Therapists in Tennessee earn a median of $100,140 a year ($48.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,500 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,760. Tennessee ranks 31st of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.5 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,260, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| 25th percentile | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| Median | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| 75th percentile | $111,140 | $53.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,500 | $61.30 |
| Average (mean) | $98,260 | $47.24 |
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 | $8,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,172.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,851.54 |
| Weekly | $1,925.77 |
| Hourly | $48.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $96,110 | 590 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for physical therapists in Tennessee is $100,140 a year, or $48.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of physical therapists in Tennessee earn at least $127,500 a year. The top 25% earn $111,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,280 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $80,930 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Tennessee?
About 4,800 physical therapists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.