Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Nashville, TN: $67,442 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Nashville, TN earns a median $67,442/year (≈ $32.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $70,006 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Nashville, TN, is estimated at $67,442, which is slightly lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range in this market varies considerably, from $50,338 at the 10th percentile to $90,783 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the diverse earning potential within the profession. As the healthcare landscape evolves and bridges from PTA to DPT become more common, those who pursue additional education may significantly enhance their lifetime earning potential and career opportunities in Nashville's expanding healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,338 | $24.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,446 | $29.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,442 | $32.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,783 | $43.65 |
Median Salary Position
3.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,445 (2026 est.). At $67,442, the local median is 3.99% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Nashville median: $67,442/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,170 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -3.99% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Nashville, TN earn a median of $67,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.99% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.10% above the Tennessee state average of $64,170.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,442 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,006 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,690
2025 BLS Actual
$65,650
2026 Current Est.
$67,442
2019–2027 Growth
+12.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,442 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,283 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.4% from $61,690 (2019) to $65,650 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,283 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,593 (12.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,338 – $60,446 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,446 – $67,442 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,442 – $79,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,780 – $90,783 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Nashville
Currently, Nashville employs approximately 830 physical therapist assistants, indicating a robust local job market amid a cost-of-living index of 96.338, which is slightly below the national average. This could enhance the purchasing power for PTAs in the area. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital rehab units generally offer the highest pay. Variations in compensation stem from factors including the setting of practice, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that affected PTAs working in Medicare-dependent environments. To maximize earning potential in Nashville's healthcare sector, physical therapist assistants should consider specializing in high-demand therapy settings and acquiring certifications that align with employer needs. This can position them favorably within the salary spectrum while addressing the growing demands of Tennessee's healthcare system.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Nashville?
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Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,650 for physical therapist assistantsin the Nashville metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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