Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $62,360 a year ($29.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,040 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $62,500. There are 1.3 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| 25th percentile | $56,920 | $27.37 |
| Median | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| 75th percentile | $74,600 | $35.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Average (mean) | $63,850 | $30.70 |
Half of physical therapist assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,196.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,598.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,398.46 |
| Weekly | $1,199.23 |
| Hourly | $29.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $74,730 | 1,370 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $72,500 | 30 |
| Rome, GA | $71,680 | 80 |
| Valdosta, GA | $68,470 | 30 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $68,070 | 50 |
| Dalton, GA | $66,650 | 30 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $65,910 | 70 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $65,650 | 830 |
| Gainesville, GA | $65,040 | 60 |
| Cleveland, TN | $64,290 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,270 | 100 |
| Morristown, TN | $63,940 | 70 |
| Savannah, GA | $63,600 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,620 | 160 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $62,510 | 150 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $62,410 | 100 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $62,400 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,560 | 490 |
| Jackson, TN | $60,980 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $60,280 | 440 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,160 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $28,610 | $13.75 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Orderly | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,020 | $14.43 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $62,360 a year, or $29.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $79,040 a year. The top 25% earn $74,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,960 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $56,920 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 340 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.