Physical Therapist Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $101,558 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $101,558/year (≈ $48.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $111,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are projected to be competitive, with a median annual pay of $101,558, slightly lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the area is broad, extending from $75,011 at the 10th percentile to $128,495 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied experiences and specialties that play a role in compensation. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, providing a snapshot of the local market dynamics. As demand for physical therapy services grows, driven by factors such as an aging population and increased health awareness, the ability to maximize productivity through visits per day is crucial, influencing effective hourly compensation rates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,011 | $36.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,538 | $39.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,558 | $48.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,843 | $52.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,495 | $61.78 |
Median Salary Position
3.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,484 (2026 est.). At $101,558, the local median is 3.54% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be above the median
How Chattanooga Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $101,558/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $99,861 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.54% less |
Physical Therapists in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $101,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.70% above the Tennessee state average of $99,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,558 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,036 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$91,410
2025 BLS Actual
$99,120
2026 Current Est.
$101,558
2019–2027 Growth
+13.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,558 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 8.4% from $91,410 (2019) to $99,120 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,647 (13.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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 2.46% 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) | $75,011 – $81,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,538 – $101,558 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,558 – $108,843 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,843 – $128,495 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Chattanooga
The Chattanooga job market currently employs about 520 physical therapists, indicating a strong demand for skilled professionals in this field. With a cost of living index of 91.464, living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, which can enhance the overall purchasing power for therapists in the area. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as ATI and Athletico, often dominate the compensation landscape, yet hospital systems typically offer higher pay due to more stable patient volumes and comprehensive benefits. The variation in salaries is influenced by several factors, including productivity expectations tied to units per visit, opportunities for board specialization (such as OCS or SCS), and clinic ownership equity. To maximize physical therapist pay in Chattanooga, professionals should consider pursuing advanced certifications, exploring employment in higher-paying sectors, and assessing the financial impact of cash-pay models versus traditional insurance practices.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Chattanooga?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Chattanooga?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Chattanooga?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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.
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 $99,120 for physical therapistsin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov