Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kingsport, TN: $83,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Kingsport, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $83,006/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Kingsport's price premium (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $96,020 in average-cost America. The 29% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, senior physical therapist assistants in Kingsport, Tennessee, have an opportunity to earn significantly more than their median counterparts, with top earners (P90) reaching $83,006 and those at the 75th percentile earning $76,143. This demonstrates a substantial experience premium, as the median annual salary in Kingsport stands at $64,330, indicating the potential for skilled professionals to excel financially. To unlock this high earning potential, physical therapist assistants must often pursue advanced specializations, gain extensive experience, and potentially transition into leadership or mentor roles. Those who engage consistently in professional development and seek out opportunities for advancement can find themselves firmly within this lucrative upper tier of the compensation bracket in the Kingsport area.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Kingsport earn between $76,143 and $83,006 per year (2026 est.). This $34,199 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Kingsport median of $64,330 sits 8.42% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Kingsport | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $64,330 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,143 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $83,006 | $91,954 |
In Kingsport, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 29.03% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Kingsport
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $64,330 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Kingsport employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Kingsport command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,143–$83,006 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Kingsport metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Kingsport with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Kingsport
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedKingsport ranks #9 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $83,006).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Kingsport ($83,006) is 2.02% below the Tennessee average P90 ($84,718).
2019 BLS Actual
$86,930
2025 BLS Actual
$80,800
2026 Current Est.
$83,006
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,272 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Kingsport saw their compensation grow -7.1% from $86,930 in 2019 to $80,800 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $85,272 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Kingsport
When examining compensation dynamics, several factors influence the experienced physical therapist assistant salary in Kingsport. Specialists in orthopedic care, geriatric rehabilitation, and sports medicine often command higher pay. The type of employer also significantly affects earnings; for example, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer more competitive salaries than skilled nursing facilities due to varying reimbursement rates and productivity expectations. As physical therapist assistants evolve in their careers, roles like clinic operations supervisor or regional clinical educator become accessible, offering pathways to higher salaries. Further enhancing earning potential includes obtaining advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA and pursuing PTA-to-DPT bridge programs. The ongoing impact of the Medicare 15% cut has led to compressed wages across heavily Medicare-dependent environments, reinforcing the need for PTAs in Kingsport to strategically choose their working environments for optimal compensation, balancing salary expectations against the realities of the local healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Kingsport in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Kingsport?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Kingsport?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Kingsport?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Kingsport?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $80,800 for physical therapist assistants in the Kingsport metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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