Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Knoxville, TN: $61,926 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Knoxville, TN earns a median $61,926/year (≈ $29.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $66,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, TN, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 stands at $61,926. This is notably below the national median of $70,247, reflecting a local market that has had to adapt to significant economic shifts, particularly following the Medicare cuts that affected reimbursement rates in various healthcare settings. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in Knoxville extends from $48,252 at the tenth percentile to $81,496 at the ninetieth percentile, showing a wide disparity influenced by the setting of employment—outpatient clinics tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which have faced the brunt of budget constraints since the Medicare cuts. Data for these figures are derived from comprehensive analysis via 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026, providing valuable insights into the evolving job market for physical therapy professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,252 | $23.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,234 | $27.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,926 | $29.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,305 | $35.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,496 | $39.18 |
Median Salary Position
11.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,244 (2026 est.). At $61,926, the local median is 11.85% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $61,926/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,172 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.85% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $61,926 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.85% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.50% below the Tennessee state average of $64,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,926 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,897 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,200
2025 BLS Actual
$60,280
2026 Current Est.
$61,926
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,926 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,616 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 9.2% from $55,200 (2019) to $60,280 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,616 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,416 (15.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $48,252 – $56,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,234 – $61,926 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,926 – $74,305 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,305 – $81,496 |
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 Knoxville
The local job market in Knoxville currently supports approximately 440 employed physical therapist assistants, highlighting the demand for skilled workers despite the fluctuating pay scales. The cost of living in this area, indexed at 92.569, suggests that salaries may stretch further for residents, making it more feasible to maintain a comfortable lifestyle on local wages compared to more expensive cities. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically lead in compensation, followed by home health agencies and hospital inpatient rehab facilities. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include the pressure to maintain productivity levels, varying expectations across settings, and the lingering effects of the 15% Medicare cut, which has limited pay in facilities heavily reliant on such funds. To maximize earning potential, physical therapist assistants in Knoxville should consider working in higher-paying outpatient environments, seeking additional certifications, and exploring options for weekend or PRN positions that often come with pay premiums.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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 $60,280 for physical therapist assistantsin the Knoxville 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