Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Jackson, TN: $81,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Jackson, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $81,681/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Jackson's price premium (BEA RPP 85.5, 14% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $95,509 in average-cost America. The 30% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, TN, pursuing a senior physical therapist assistant position can be financially rewarding, especially for those reaching the upper echelon of the pay scale. With a 2026 projected top salary of $81,681 at the P90 level, experienced professionals in this field can expect to make significant strides in their earnings potential. This high-end compensation stands in contrast to the median salary of $62,645, revealing a pronounced experience premium that incentivizes professional development and specialization. To attain these upper-tier positions, practitioners often need to cultivate expertise in sought-after areas, such as orthopedic or geriatric rehabilitation, which are critical in enhancing marketability in Jackson's healthcare environment.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Jackson earn between $74,787 and $81,681 per year (2026 est.). This $29,885 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Jackson median of $62,645 sits 10.82% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Jackson | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $62,645 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,787 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $81,681 | $91,954 |
In Jackson, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 30.39% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Jackson
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $62,645 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Jackson employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Jackson command premium compensation, often reaching the $74,787–$81,681 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedJackson ranks #14 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $81,681).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Jackson ($81,681) is 3.59% below the Tennessee average P90 ($84,718).
2019 BLS Actual
$77,490
2025 BLS Actual
$79,510
2026 Current Est.
$81,681
2019–2027 Growth
+8.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,708 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,911 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Jackson saw their compensation grow 2.6% from $77,490 in 2019 to $79,510 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 $83,911 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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 Jackson
Compensation dynamics for senior physical therapist assistants in Jackson vary widely based on the settings in which they practice. Specializations like sports medicine or pediatric therapy, along with roles in skilled nursing facilities, tend to command higher pay rates. Compensation also fluctuates by employer type; outpatient clinics may offer different benefits compared to home health services or hospitals. Advancement opportunities abound for seasoned PTAs, with paths leading to managerial roles or even educational positions in PTA programs, alongside options for pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Additionally, possessing advanced credentials, such as those offered through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), enhances earning potential. Yet, shifts in Medicare reimbursement policies, including the 15% cut affecting skilled nursing facilities, have raised challenges. These factors, combined with workplace settings and productivity expectations, significantly influence the overall compensation framework for senior physical therapist assistants in Jackson and beyond.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Jackson in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Jackson?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Jackson?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Jackson?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Jackson?
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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 $79,510 for physical therapist assistants in the Jackson 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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