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Physical Therapist Assistant in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Tennessee employs 3,390 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $62,500 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $62,500 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,010
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,090
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,800
Employed in Tennessee: 3,390
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Tennessee markets:

Nashville: $65,650 (830 employed)
Chattanooga: $62,360 (340 employed)
Memphis: $61,560 (490 employed)
Knoxville: $60,280 (440 employed)
Clarksville: $59,160 (100 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,500 median stretches to roughly $68,009 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +27.9%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 560 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy.

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (typically 2 years, including clinical rotations).
Pass the NPTE-PTA through FSBPT.
Apply to the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy for licensure. Renew every two years with 20 CE hours.

Official requirements: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy →

Training in Tennessee

Tennessee State University (Nashville), Volunteer State Community College, and Southwest Tennessee Community College (Memphis) offer CAPTE-accredited PTA programs. Outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinics, SNFs, and hospital rehab units across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the primary employers.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers — Associate
Chattanooga State Community College — Associate
Cleveland State Community College — Associate
Columbia State Community College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Tennessee

Real Tennessee outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Atlas Medical LLC — Athens
Ave Maria Therapy — Bartlett
Memphis Physical Therapy — Bartlett
Select Physical Therapy — Bartlett
Rehabcare — Bristol
Alliance Pt Partners, LLC — Chattanooga

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Tennessee?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Tennessee is $62,500 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,800. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Tennessee?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy. Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (typically 2 years, including clinical rotations).

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Tennessee?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Tennessee metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $65,650, followed by Chattanooga ($62,360), Memphis ($61,560). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers, Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +27.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 560 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.