Physical Therapist Pay

Bartlett vs Nashville: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Bartlett, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bartlett, TN
$100,450
$48.29/hr
Nashville, TN
$105,923
$50.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBartlett, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$100,450$105,923
Hourly Rate$48.29$50.92
Entry Level (P10)$74,306$69,734
25th Percentile$82,646$86,773
75th Percentile$118,576$111,671
Top Earner (P90)$127,932$132,614
Total Employed131,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bartlett ($100,450) and Nashville ($105,923) physical therapist salaries.BartlettNashvilleMedian Salary$100,450$105,923Entry Level (P10)$74,306$69,734Top Earner (P90)$127,932$132,614US Median $105,288

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bartlett.

The salary gap between Bartlett and Nashville is $5,473 (5.45%). Nashville's median is +0.60% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bartlett spans $53,626,Nashville spans $62,880. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Bartlett
P10 (Entry)$74,306
P25$82,646
Median$100,450
P75$118,576
P90 (Top)$127,932
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$69,734
P25$86,773
Median$105,923
P75$111,671
P90 (Top)$132,614

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($109,949 effective) pays 0.48% more than Bartlett ($109,423 effective).

Bartlett
Nominal: $100,450
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $109,423
Nashville
Nominal: $105,923
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $109,949

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bartlett if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,923/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,614)
  • Larger job market (1,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,949)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Bartlett grew 15.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.3% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Bartlett, TN

+15.4%

$84,939 (2024) → $98,038 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+23.3%

$83,830 (2019) → $103,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Bartlett or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,923/year, compared to Bartlett at $100,450/year — a difference of $5,473 (5.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bartlett and Nashville?

Bartlett physical therapists earn $48.29/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $50.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bartlett to Nashville as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bartlett and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bartlett = $109,423, Nashville = $109,949), job availability (13 vs 1,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Bartlett vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $74,306 in Bartlett and $69,734 in Nashville. The Bartlett area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov