Physical Therapist Pay

Knoxville vs Spring Hill: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Knoxville, TN and Spring Hill, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$98,474
$47.35/hr
Spring Hill, TN
$99,334
$47.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNSpring Hill, TN
Median Salary$98,474$99,334
Hourly Rate$47.35$47.76
Entry Level (P10)$66,445$71,587
25th Percentile$77,818$80,384
75th Percentile$104,007$119,738
Top Earner (P90)$127,245$133,884
Total Employed59014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($98,474) and Spring Hill ($99,334) physical therapist salaries.KnoxvilleSpring HillMedian Salary$98,474$99,334Entry Level (P10)$66,445$71,587Top Earner (P90)$127,245$133,884US Median $105,288

Verdict

Spring Hill, TN offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Spring Hill is $860 (0.87%). Spring Hill's median is -5.65% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $60,800,Spring Hill spans $62,297. Spring Hill has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$66,445
P25$77,818
Median$98,474
P75$104,007
P90 (Top)$127,245
Spring Hill
P10 (Entry)$71,587
P25$80,384
Median$99,334
P75$119,738
P90 (Top)$133,884

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spring Hill ($108,207 effective) pays 1.72% more than Knoxville ($106,379 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $98,474
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $106,379
Spring Hill
Nominal: $99,334
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $108,207

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (590 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Spring Hill if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,334/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,884)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,207)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Knoxville grew 14.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.4% growth in Spring Hill over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+14.9%

$83,660 (2019) → $96,110 (2025)

Spring Hill, TN

+15.4%

$83,996 (2024) → $96,949 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Knoxville or Spring Hill?

Spring Hill has a higher median physical therapist salary at $99,334/year, compared to Knoxville at $98,474/year — a difference of $860 (0.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Spring Hill?

Knoxville physical therapists earn $47.35/hr while Spring Hill hygienists earn $47.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Spring Hill as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Spring Hill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $106,379, Spring Hill = $108,207), job availability (590 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Knoxville vs Spring Hill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $66,445 in Knoxville and $71,587 in Spring Hill. The Spring Hill area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov