Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kingsport, TN: $64,330 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Kingsport, TN earns a median $64,330/year (≈ $30.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $74,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the typical physical therapist assistant salary in Kingsport, TN, is projected to reach $64,330 annually, which is notably less than the national median of $70,247. Following significant Medicare cuts, particularly affecting settings reliant on Medicare funding like skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the salary range for physical therapist assistants here varies widely. Those at the lower end of the spectrum earn around $48,807, while the top earners can make upwards of $83,006. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the ongoing transitions in the local healthcare market, with outpatient therapy services showing resilience compared to SNFs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,807 | $23.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,381 | $28.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,143 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,006 | $39.91 |
Median Salary Position
8.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,199 (2026 est.). At $64,330, the local median is 8.42% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $64,330/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,201 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.42% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $64,330 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.42% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.20% above the Tennessee state average of $64,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,330 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,416 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,230
2025 BLS Actual
$62,620
2026 Current Est.
$64,330
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,330 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,086 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 11.4% from $56,230 (2019) to $62,620 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,086 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,856 (17.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $48,807 – $58,381 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,381 – $64,330 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,330 – $76,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,143 – $83,006 |
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 Kingsport
In Kingsport, 160 physical therapist assistants work across a variety of settings, influencing local pay dynamics. The cost of living index stands at 86.447, indicating that essential costs are generally lower than the national average, thus enhancing purchasing power for professionals in this field. Employers well-regarded for compensating their staff include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab units, where payment structures favor weekend work and productivity. The disparity in earnings often stems from different settings, with hospitals typically offering higher wages compared to outpatient centers or SNFs, particularly in light of a 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements. For those looking to maximize their income, exploring opportunities in outpatient care or pursuing advanced qualifications could yield more favorable pay scales in this evolving market.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $62,620 for physical therapist assistantsin the Kingsport 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, 7-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