Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Jackson, TN: $62,645 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Jackson, TN earns a median $62,645/year (≈ $30.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.5), that paycheck buys what $73,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Jackson, TN, can expect an average annual compensation of $62,645, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range in this region stretches from $51,796 at the 10th percentile up to $81,681 at the 90th percentile, offering various earning potentials based on experience and work settings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates not only the financial rewards available but also the productivity expectations that come with the role. In Jackson's market, helping patients efficiently can directly influence earning outcomes, making it essential for professionals to understand client visit volumes and reimbursement rates in achieving their financial goals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,796 | $24.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,645 | $30.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,645 | $30.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,787 | $35.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,681 | $39.27 |
Median Salary Position
10.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, TN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,885 (2026 est.). At $62,645, the local median is 10.82% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Jackson median: $62,645/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,185 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.82% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Jackson, TN earn a median of $62,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.82% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% below the Tennessee state average of $64,185.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 14.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, TN has a cost-of-living index of 85.522 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,645 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,250 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,130
2025 BLS Actual
$60,980
2026 Current Est.
$62,645
2019–2027 Growth
+5.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,559 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,977 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,645 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,355 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -0.2% from $61,130 (2019) to $60,980 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,355 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,225 (5.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $51,796 – $62,645 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,645 – $62,645 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,645 – $74,787 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,787 – $81,681 |
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 Jackson
Looking at the local job market, around 120 physical therapist assistants are currently employed in Jackson. With a cost-of-living index of 85.522, the purchasing power for PTAs in this area is comparatively strong, suggesting that salaries stretch further in terms of daily living expenses. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay, while weekend shifts and PRN positions often come with premium rates to incentivize availability. Factors influencing the pay spread include the need for productivity in outpatient settings versus the more stable environments of hospitals. Furthermore, the impact of the Medicare 15% cut on reimbursement rates must be considered, especially for PTAs working in settings heavily reliant on Medicare. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Jackson, pursuing continuing education and opportunities for advancement, such as the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, can pave the way for enhanced earnings and professional growth.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Jackson, TN in 2026?
Is Jackson, TN a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Jackson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Jackson?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Jackson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $60,980 for physical therapist assistantsin the Jackson 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