Physical Therapist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Physical Therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $99,120 a year ($47.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,410 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $100,140. There are 1.9 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,070, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| 25th percentile | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Median | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| 75th percentile | $106,230 | $51.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,410 | $60.30 |
| Average (mean) | $96,070 | $46.19 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $8,260 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,130 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,812.31 |
| Weekly | $1,906.15 |
| Hourly | $47.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,120 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 salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton, GA | $109,710 | 50 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $104,500 | 130 |
| Rome, GA | $103,710 | 130 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $103,440 | 4,250 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $103,380 | 1,400 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $103,260 | 100 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $101,570 | 150 |
| Savannah, GA | $100,920 | 210 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $100,000 | 800 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $98,690 | 230 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $98,300 | 200 |
| Albany, GA | $98,190 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $97,810 | 130 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $97,260 | 330 |
| Morristown, TN | $97,150 | 80 |
| Valdosta, GA | $97,050 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $96,660 | 180 |
| Jackson, TN | $96,610 | 140 |
| Knoxville, TN | $96,110 | 590 |
| Gainesville, GA | $92,030 | 90 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $85,590 | 90 |
| Cleveland, TN | $79,230 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Physicians, All Other | $429,900 | $206.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,960 | $46.14 |
| Dentists, General | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Veterinarian | $125,790 | $60.48 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | $58.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $264,690 | $127.26 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,200 | $140.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. 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 make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $99,120 a year, or $47.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $125,410 a year. The top 25% earn $106,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,210 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $79,580 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 520 physical therapists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.