PayByState

Tennessee · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Tennessee

Median $90,740 · Top 10% earn $105,280+ · Roughly 5,377 workers in Tennessee. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Tennessee median
$90,740
$43.63/hr
Top 10%
$105,280
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$61,750
Entry-level range
Real pay
$99,824
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.9)

Tennessee pays modestly below the U.S. median for physical therapists — $90,740 versus the national median of $99,710. Tennessee's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $114 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 5,377 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Tennessee

Tennessee pays close to the U.S. median for physical therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Tennessee ranks #43 of 50 states

Where Tennessee sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Tennessee
#36 Georgia $91,730 +$990
#35 Nebraska $92,730 +$1,990
#34 North Carolina $92,730 +$1,990
#43 Tennessee (this page) $90,740 —
#44 South Dakota $88,740 −$2,000
#45 Oklahoma $88,740 −$2,000
#46 Kentucky $88,740 −$2,000
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Tennessee

The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the Tennessee median of $90,740, payback periods are typically 3 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Tennessee selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Tennessee — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Tennessee?
The median physical therapist salary in Tennessee is $90,740 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $61,750; the top 10% earn $105,280 or more. About 5,377 people work in this role across the state.
How does Tennessee physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee's median of $90,740 is $8,970 below the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.9), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $99,824.
Is physical therapist a good career in Tennessee?
On the data: Tennessee employs roughly 5,377 physical therapists, with a median wage of $90,740 and the top decile clearing $105,280. The role is projected to grow +15% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in Tennessee?
At the Tennessee median of $90,740 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $43.63/hr. The top 10% earn around $50.62/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $29.69/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Tennessee-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Tennessee's RPP is 90.9 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.