How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 710 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $30,320 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in Tennessee, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Tennessee
How do I become a physical therapy aide in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT, PHYSICAL THERAPIST. The licensing authority is the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience.
Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Tennessee is $30,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $21,220 and experienced professionals can earn $42,830 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards
- Median wage (Tennessee): $30,320 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Tennessee
The Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT | PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT A physical therapy assistant assists in treatment of any injury, condition, or disease by the use of physical, chemical or mechanical agents; uses heat, light, water… |
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST | PHYSICAL THERAPIST S A physical therapist treats any injury, condition, or disease by the use of physical, chemical, or mechanical agents; uses heat, light, water, electricity, massage, sound t… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 200 | $30,900 | $31,440 | $22,000 | $44,950 |
| Memphis | 140 | $32,780 | $34,060 | $28,210 | $43,920 |
| Knoxville | 120 | $30,200 | $32,530 | $20,910 | $43,120 |
| Chattanooga | 110 | $28,610 | $29,500 | $20,740 | $37,330 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 50 | $29,730 | $34,630 | $25,810 | $47,340 |
| Johnson City | 40 | $20,140 | $23,320 | $18,720 | $37,980 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 200 | $30,900 |
| Memphis | 140 | $32,780 |
| Knoxville | 120 | $30,200 |
| Chattanooga | 110 | $28,610 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 50 | $29,730 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 710 physical therapy aides 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a physical therapy aide in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Tennessee is $30,320, which is $4,200 below the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |