Physical Therapist Salary in Nashville, TN: $105,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Nashville, TN earns a median $105,923/year (≈ $50.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $109,949 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for physical therapists in Nashville, TN, is projected to reach $105,923, slightly above the national median of $105,288. This competitive salary range spans from $69,734 at the 10th percentile to $132,614 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a healthy job market due to the growing trend of cash-pay services, particularly in sports and orthopedic specialties. Data from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys of 2025, projected to 2026, indicates that this upward momentum aligns with the 2.46% growth rate anticipated for the industry. As Nashville continues to develop a robust healthcare infrastructure, the demand for skilled physical therapists remains strong, providing opportunities for significant earnings at both established hospitals and private practice settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,734 | $33.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,773 | $41.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,923 | $50.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,671 | $53.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,614 | $63.76 |
Median Salary Position
0.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,880 (2026 est.). At $105,923, the local median is 0.6% above the national median of $105,288.
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How Nashville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Nashville median: $105,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $99,833 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.60% more |
Physical Therapists in Nashville, TN earn a median of $105,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 6.10% above the Tennessee state average of $99,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $105,923 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,949 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,830
2025 BLS Actual
$103,380
2026 Current Est.
$105,923
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 23.3% from $83,830 (2019) to $103,380 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,699 (29.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $69,734 – $86,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,773 – $105,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,923 – $111,671 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,671 – $132,614 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Nashville
With around 1,400 physical therapists currently employed in the Nashville area, the job outlook reflects a wide variability in earnings that depends heavily on the type of practice and specialization. The cost of living index in Nashville, at 96.338, is below the national average, which enhances take-home purchasing power. The highest-paying roles are typically found in outpatient orthopedic clinics operated by chains like ATI or Athletico, with some clinics offering bonuses for meeting productivity metrics, a factor that can influence overall pay significantly. Other lucrative options include positions within inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and travel PT roles, which often provide added premiums. Maximizing salary in Nashville can be achieved by pursuing board certifications like OCS or SCS, engaging in cash-pay models that circumvent insurance limitations, and exploring opportunities for clinic ownership or partnerships that allow for greater equity building. Understanding the various employer expectations and market dynamics will further empower physical therapists to negotiate effectively and elevate their earning potential.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $103,380 for physical therapistsin the Nashville 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