Physical Therapist Salary in Kingsport, TN: $101,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Kingsport, TN earns a median $101,118/year (≈ $48.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $116,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, Tennessee, the 2026 median salary for physical therapists is projected to be $101,118, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $105,288. The salary range spans from $69,919 at the lower end to $125,370 at the top, indicating a diverse pay scale influenced by the type of facility where therapists are employed. Employment within outpatient orthopedic clinics tends to offer competitive packages, but specialists in hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities often see higher pay scales. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, confirming that the local market is shaped by the structural choices between outpatient, hospital, and rehabilitation settings as well as the inherent productivity demands in each.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,919 | $33.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,886 | $39.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,118 | $48.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,876 | $56.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,370 | $60.28 |
Median Salary Position
3.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,451 (2026 est.). At $101,118, the local median is 3.96% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be above the median
How Kingsport Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $101,118/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $99,919 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.96% less |
Physical Therapists in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $101,118 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.96% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% above the Tennessee state average of $99,919.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,118 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,971 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% 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
$88,220
2025 BLS Actual
$98,690
2026 Current Est.
$101,118
2019–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 11.9% from $88,220 (2019) to $98,690 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,385 (17.44%) from 2019.
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 2.46% 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) | $69,919 – $81,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,886 – $101,118 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,118 – $116,876 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,876 – $125,370 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Kingsport
Kingsport’s job market includes approximately 230 physical therapists, contributing to a tight-knit professional community within an area where the cost of living is notably lower, with an index of 86.447. This index suggests that purchasing power for physical therapists is relatively strong, relative to their salaries. Outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI and Athletico generally provide solid starting salaries, while positions in hospital inpatient rehab or skilled nursing facilities often yield higher earnings due to increased productivity expectations and performance bonuses. The disparity in pay can also be influenced by factors such as board certification stipends, practice models, and whether the clinic operates on a cash-pay or insurance basis. For those looking to maximize their pay in Kingsport TN, focusing on specialized certifications, pursuing in-demand positions, and understanding local reimbursement models can enhance earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Kingsport, TN in 2026?
Is Kingsport, TN a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Kingsport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Kingsport?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Kingsport?
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 $98,690 for physical therapistsin the Kingsport 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