Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Brentwood, TN: $79,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Brentwood, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $79,563/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Brentwood's price premium (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $86,670 in average-cost America. The 28% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the potential for earning a top physical therapist assistant salary in Brentwood, Tennessee, substantially increases for seasoned professionals. With a P90 salary of $79,563 and a P75 figure of $71,014, experienced physical therapist assistants in this area are well-positioned to capitalize on their extensive knowledge. This stark contrast to the median salary of $61,924 illustrates the depth of compensation available for those who excel in their roles and attain specialization. To reach these upper tiers of pay, physical therapist assistants must invest in advanced certifications, develop niche specialties, and seek out positions within high-paying settings, positioning themselves strategically to take advantage of the unique opportunities within the Brentwood market.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Brentwood earn between $71,014 and $79,563 per year (2026 est.). This $32,765 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Brentwood median of $61,924 sits 11.85% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Brentwood | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $61,924 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,014 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $79,563 | $91,954 |
In Brentwood, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 28.48% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Brentwood
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $61,924 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Brentwood employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Brentwood command premium compensation, often reaching the $71,014–$79,563 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Brentwood metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Brentwood with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Brentwood
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBrentwood ranks #22 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $79,563).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Brentwood ($79,563) is 6.09% below the Tennessee average P90 ($84,718).
2019 BLS Actual
$69,947
2025 BLS Actual
$77,449
2026 Current Est.
$79,563
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,947 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,358 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,368 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,746 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,861 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,735 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Brentwood saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $69,947 in 2019 to $77,449 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $81,735 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Brentwood
At the senior level, compensation varies widely based on specialty and workplace. In Brentwood, areas like orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation often command higher salaries, particularly in outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) where experienced staff can leverage their expertise. While advanced credentials, such as those from APTA, the NPTAE national exam, and state licensure, enhance employability and can lead to roles such as clinic operations supervisor or PTA program faculty, other factors also influence pay structures. Leadership-oriented PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways present additional avenues for growth, while shifts in Medicare reimbursement policies, particularly the 15% cut affecting PTA services in SNFs, have resulted in financial pressures for those pursuing roles in heavily Medicare-reliant settings. By understanding these dynamics, senior physical therapist assistants can navigate their careers toward more lucrative and fulfilling opportunities in Brentwood, TN.
More salary data for Brentwood, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Brentwood in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Brentwood?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Brentwood?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Brentwood?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Brentwood?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $77,449 for physical therapist assistants in the Brentwood metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood 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