Tennessee Median
$62,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $68,380
State Rank
#39 of 51
3,390 employed here
How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in Tennessee?
A Physical Therapist Assistant working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $62,500 per year, or about $30.05 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $68,380 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $48,010 while the top 10% make $80,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,890 and $76,090 a year.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,010 | $23.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,890 | $26.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,500 | $30.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $76,090 | $36.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,800 | $38.85 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other states
California $83,110Massachusetts $79,460New Jersey $78,440Texas $78,000Maryland $77,670Alaska $77,640Connecticut $75,880Nevada $75,520Delaware $74,610Virginia $73,760Oregon $73,180Georgia $72,800Florida $72,530Vermont $71,600New Hampshire $71,440South Carolina $70,500Rhode Island $68,640North Carolina $67,540Hawaii $67,510Minnesota $66,770Washington $66,450Maine $66,250Louisiana $65,370Indiana $65,280Illinois $65,240Colorado $64,810Arizona $64,650Arkansas $64,520Kansas $64,500New York $64,100Wisconsin $64,080Ohio $63,820Missouri $63,770Wyoming $63,550North Dakota $63,520District of Columbia $63,400Montana $62,650Pennsylvania $62,580New Mexico $62,280Utah $61,980Mississippi $61,770Michigan $61,670Kentucky $61,480Alabama $61,430Nebraska $61,370Iowa $61,030Idaho $61,020West Virginia $60,430Oklahoma $59,480South Dakota $49,310
Working as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Tennessee
Nationally, about 112,000 people work as Physical Therapist Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($62,500) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in Tennessee?
The median Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Tennessee is $62,500 per year, or about $30.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,010 at the entry level to $80,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Physical Therapist Assistants about 9% less than the national median of $68,380. Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Physical Therapist Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,500 a year. About 3,390 Physical Therapist Assistants are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Physical Therapist Assistant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.