Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $61,560 a year ($29.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,270 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $62,500. There are 0.80 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| 25th percentile | $56,170 | $27.01 |
| Median | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| 75th percentile | $76,120 | $36.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Average (mean) | $64,000 | $30.77 |
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 | $5,130 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,565 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,367.69 |
| Weekly | $1,183.85 |
| Hourly | $29.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,560 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $73,560 | 90 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $73,100 | 200 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $65,650 | 830 |
| Cleveland, TN | $64,290 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,270 | 100 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $64,110 | 460 |
| Morristown, TN | $63,940 | 70 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $63,280 | 60 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $63,210 | 140 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $62,700 | 170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,620 | 160 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $62,360 | 340 |
| Jackson, MS | $62,100 | 260 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $61,820 | 190 |
| Jackson, TN | $60,980 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $60,280 | 440 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,160 | 100 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $58,610 | 90 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $32,780 | $15.76 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,900 | $14.86 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,260 | $18.87 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Orderly | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| Massage Therapist | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,440 | $25.21 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $61,560 a year, or $29.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $80,270 a year. The top 25% earn $76,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,270 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $56,170 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 490 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.