Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lebanon, TN: $62,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lebanon, TN earns a median $62,990/year (≈ $30.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lebanon's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $68,617 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For those considering their financial future in the field of physical therapy in Lebanon, TN, the projected median salary in 2026 stands at $62,990 annually. This figure, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, suggests a local market that, while below the national median of $70,247, still offers competitive pay within a promising salary range from $44,187 to $79,145. As physical therapist assistants (PTAs) contemplate the potential advantages of bridging to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, this higher educational attainment can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and professional opportunities. Understanding the dynamics of physical therapist assistant pay in Lebanon is crucial as the local healthcare sector continues to evolve.
About the Lebanon Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,187 | $21.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,615 | $26.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,148 | $34.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,145 | $38.05 |
Median Salary Position
10.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lebanon
In Lebanon, TN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,958 (2026 est.). At $62,990, the local median is 10.33% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lebanon: You'd be above the median
How Lebanon Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lebanon median: $62,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lebanon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,210 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.33% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lebanon, TN earn a median of $62,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.33% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $64,210.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lebanon has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lebanon, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,990 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,617 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,717
2025 BLS Actual
$61,316
2026 Current Est.
$62,990
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lebanon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,717 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,595 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,316 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lebanon metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,717 (2019) to $61,316 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,993 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lebanon 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) | $44,187 – $54,615 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,615 – $62,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,990 – $71,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,148 – $79,145 |
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 Lebanon
Analyzing the employment landscape, Lebanon currently has around 10 physical therapist assistants operating within the area. The cost of living index for Lebanon is 91.8, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains fairly robust for local residents. Employers offering the highest compensation often include outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital inpatient rehabilitation. Factors contributing to the salary range are diverse, including setting distinctions like hospital versus outpatient care, productivity expectations, and the impact of the Medicare 15% cut that affected PTAs' roles in SNFs and outpatient facilities. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Lebanon, professionals may consider seeking positions in settings that prioritize direct patient care and potentially offer weekend or PRN opportunities that command higher wages. Understanding these nuances can assist PTAs in making informed career decisions and enhancing their financial outcomes.
More salary data for Lebanon, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lebanon, TN in 2026?
Is Lebanon, TN a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lebanon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lebanon?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Lebanon?
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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 $61,316 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lebanon 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
Salary data for Lebanon is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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