Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Collierville, TN: $81,097 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Collierville, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $81,097/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Collierville's price premium (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $88,341 in average-cost America. The 26% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior physical therapist assistants in Collierville, Tennessee, can anticipate a noteworthy potential for earnings, particularly at the higher end of the scale. Projected for 2026, top earners fall within a salary range of $43,599 to $81,097, with a significant midpoint of $64,340. This gap between median pay and upper-tier earnings highlights the important experience premium that seasoned professionals can leverage in their negotiations. Attaining such levels of compensation often requires advanced education, specialized certifications, and a proven track record in specific therapies or settings, equipping these professionals with the skills to meet the increasingly complex needs of their patients.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collierville
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Collierville earn between $73,850 and $81,097 per year (2026 est.). This $37,498 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Collierville median of $64,340 sits 8.41% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Collierville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $64,340 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $73,850 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $81,097 | $91,954 |
In Collierville, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 26.04% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Collierville
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $64,340 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Collierville employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Collierville command premium compensation, often reaching the $73,850–$81,097 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Collierville 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 Collierville 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 Collierville
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCollierville ranks #19 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $81,097).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Collierville ($81,097) is 4.27% below the Tennessee average P90 ($84,718).
2019 BLS Actual
$71,296
2025 BLS Actual
$78,942
2026 Current Est.
$81,097
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Collierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,296 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,705 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,167 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,278 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,942 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,097 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,311 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Collierville saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $71,296 in 2019 to $78,942 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 $83,311 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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 Collierville
In 2026, expertise in areas such as orthopedics, geriatric rehabilitation, and sports medicine can command significantly higher salaries in Collierville’s healthcare settings. While outpatient orthopedic clinics may generally offer attractive compensation, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies also play a vital role in dictating earning potential, particularly given the constraints imposed by the 15% Medicare cut on PTA services. Career advancement opportunities, such as moving into leadership roles as a lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor, can further enhance earnings. Additionally, advanced credentials from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, NPTAE examination success, and optional proficiency coverage through APTA could secure an edge in this competitive field, establishing a pathway to not just higher wages but diverse roles that maximize professional growth and reach within the salary spectrum of senior physical therapist assistant pay TN.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Collierville in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Collierville?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Collierville?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Collierville?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Collierville?
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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 $78,942 for physical therapist assistants in the Collierville 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 Collierville 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