Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Clarksville, TN: $29.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Clarksville, TN runs $29.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,775 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Clarksville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,462 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Clarksville, Tennessee, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $29.22, which is notably below the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This disparity highlights the local job market's challenges, particularly for roles in outpatient settings, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For PTAs working part-time, typically three days a week, this translates to a paycheck reflective of the local cost of living, which stands at 90.947 compared to the national average. Entry-level positions begin at approximately $15.87 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates up to $40.23, according to the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.87 | $126.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.73 | $205.87 |
| Median (P50) | $29.22 | $233.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.64 | $285.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.23 | $321.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clarksville
Based on $29.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.22/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clarksville, TN can expect to earn approximately $60,770 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,060. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clarksville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clarksville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.66 | $5,064 | $60,770 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.19 | $3,039 | $36,462 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.46 | $2,026 | $24,308 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Clarksville) | $29.22 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $60,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.48% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.30% below the Tennessee state average of $64,176.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.22/hr = $36,462/year (purchasing power: $40,092).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,770/year (purchasing power: $66,819).
CoL index: 90.947 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Clarksville grew 7.4% from $26.48/hr (2019) to $28.44/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.01/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Clarksville
When assessing the financial landscape for physical therapist assistants in Clarksville, part-time workers can expect their yearly earnings to differ substantially from full-time counterparts. A PTA working just three days a week, translating to around 24 hours, could anticipate an annual income substantially lower than those who work full-time hours. For those considering per diem roles, pay fluctuates widely, with many billing between $32 and $48 per hour for immediate and contractual positions. Despite the lure of higher hourly rates, many PTAs choose full-time employment with benefits in mind, enjoying health insurance at the cost of marginally lower pay. Work environments, including skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, reflect varied pay scales, often dictated by the type of patient population served and the reliance on Medicare reimbursements, which were reduced by 15% in 2022. Understanding these dynamics can empower current and aspiring PTAs in Clarksville as they navigate their career paths.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Clarksville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Clarksville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Clarksville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Clarksville?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Clarksville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov