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Physical Therapist Assistants in Tennessee
Considering working as a Physical Therapist Assistants in Tennessee? Here’s what the data says. Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
What do Physical Therapist Assistants Make in Tennessee?
For a physical therapist assistants working in Tennessee, wages run about $62,920 per year (or about $30.25/hour).Annual wages span from $48,670 at the 10th percentile to $79,640 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| 25th percentile | $56,230 | $27.04 |
| Median (50th) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 75th percentile | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| 90th percentile | $79,640 | $38.29 |
The job concentration index in Tennessee compared to the national average — is 1.37, suggesting that physical therapist assistants are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, physical therapist assistants earn a median of $29,340 per year ($14.11/hour), above the Tennessee median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 407,606 physical therapist assistants across the United States. In Tennessee alone, approximately 3,140 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,500 physical therapist assistants.
Top Tennessee Metros for Physical Therapist Assistants
The metro areas below employ the most physical therapist assistants in Tennessee.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | 710 | $66,950 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 560 | $62,640 |
| Knoxville, TN | 390 | $60,380 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 290 | $62,850 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 150 | $60,360 |
| Jackson, TN | 130 | $59,170 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 100 | $60,680 |
| Johnson City, TN | 80 | $62,340 |
| Morristown, TN | 70 | $66,610 |
| Cleveland, TN | 40 | $63,480 |
Top States for Physical Therapist Assistants Employment
The table below shows the states where the most physical therapist assistants work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 11,230 |
| Florida | 9,410 |
| California | 8,430 |
| Ohio | 6,530 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,410 |
| Illinois | 4,320 |
| Michigan | 4,060 |
| New York | 3,850 |
| Virginia | 3,340 |
| Tennessee | 3,140 |
| North Carolina | 3,080 |
| Alabama | 2,550 |
| Kentucky | 2,540 |
| Georgia | 2,460 |
| Massachusetts | 2,380 |
| Washington | 2,110 |
| Missouri | 2,080 |
| Indiana | 2,070 |
| South Carolina | 2,010 |
| Wisconsin | 2,000 |
Highest-Paying States for Physical Therapist Assistants
Where physical therapist assistants earn the most: physical therapist assistants.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $79,410 |
| Massachusetts | $77,780 |
| Alaska | $76,310 |
| Texas | $76,250 |
| New Jersey | $74,780 |
| Connecticut | $74,120 |
| Virginia | $73,900 |
| Nevada | $73,080 |
| Washington | $72,950 |
| Maryland | $71,770 |
Skills
Top physical therapist assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for physical therapist assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, physical therapist assistants typically:
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
- Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
- Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
- Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Careers similar to physical therapist assistants include:
- Physician Assistants
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Radiation Therapists
- Recreational Therapists
- Respiratory Therapists
Also Known As
Assistant, Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA), Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant, Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant, Home Health Physical Therapy Assistant (Home Health PTA), Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA), Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, Nursing Facility PTA (Nursing Facility Physical Therapy Assistant), Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant, Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), Physiotherapy Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant (Rehab Assistant), SNF PTA (Skilled Nursing Facility Physical Therapy Assistant).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 31-2021.00
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