Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Knoxville, TN
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $60,280 a year ($28.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,330 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $62,500. There are 1.0 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| 25th percentile | $54,740 | $26.32 |
| Median | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| 75th percentile | $72,330 | $34.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Average (mean) | $61,670 | $29.65 |
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 | $5,023.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,511.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,318.46 |
| Weekly | $1,159.23 |
| Hourly | $28.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,280 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $65,650 | 830 |
| Cleveland, TN | $64,290 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,270 | 100 |
| Morristown, TN | $63,940 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,620 | 160 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $62,360 | 340 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,560 | 490 |
| Jackson, TN | $60,980 | 120 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Medical Assistant | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,260 | $20.80 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $60,280 a year, or $28.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $79,330 a year. The top 25% earn $72,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,970 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $54,740 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Knoxville, TN?
About 440 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.