Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cleveland, TN: $66,045 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Cleveland, TN earns a median $66,045/year (≈ $31.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $74,983 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Cleveland, TN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,045, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $70,247. Compensations for this role vary widely, with salaries ranging from $48,489 at the 10th percentile to $82,626 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and take into account the expectations for productivity within various healthcare settings. The local job market for physical therapist assistants is shaped by factors such as visits per day and the specific rehabilitation needs of the community, which ultimately influence compensation structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,489 | $23.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,183 | $25.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,045 | $31.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,184 | $38.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,626 | $39.73 |
Median Salary Position
5.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,137 (2026 est.). At $66,045, the local median is 5.98% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $66,045/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,184 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -5.98% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $66,045 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.98% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.90% above the Tennessee state average of $64,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 11.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,045 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,983 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,700
2025 BLS Actual
$64,290
2026 Current Est.
$66,045
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,521 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,016 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,045 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,848 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 22.0% from $52,700 (2019) to $64,290 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,148 (28.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,489 – $53,183 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,183 – $66,045 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,045 – $79,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,184 – $82,626 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Cleveland
Cleveland’s job market for physical therapist assistants is comprised of around 40 professionals, contributing to a competitive yet accessible environment for new entries in the field. The cost of living index sits at 88.08, making it relatively affordable in comparison to the national average. This factor enhances take-home purchasing power for PTAs, allowing them to stretch their compensation further. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and pediatric therapy programs tend to offer higher salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may pay less due to recent Medicare cuts on PTA services. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors like setting, productivity expectations, and the vital need for PTAs to navigate supervision requirements under state law and Medicare stipulations. To maximize earning potential within this market, PTAs should focus on gaining experience in specialized settings and consider pursuing a PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway for advanced career opportunities, particularly with the ongoing changes in reimbursement policies affecting service rates.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Cleveland, TN in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Cleveland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Cleveland?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $64,290 for physical therapist assistantsin the Cleveland metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov