Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Shelbyville, TN: $29.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Shelbyville, TN runs $29.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,443 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Shelbyville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,860 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Shelbyville, TN, the projected physical therapist assistant hourly pay for 2026 is $29.53, which is noticeably below the national average of $33.77. This compensation level suggests that part-time and per-diem opportunities can be financially viable for those in the field, as working three days a week would allow practitioners to take home a substantial paycheck while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. Operating in diverse environments such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, and pediatric therapy spaces, physical therapist assistants can expect to see an hourly pay range from $21.72 at entry-level positions up to $36.34 for experienced professionals. This variation is based on estimates derived from annual salary data, indicating that physical therapist assistants in Shelbyville can have a dynamic earning potential throughout their careers.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.72 | $173.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.26 | $210.06 |
| Median (P50) | $29.53 | $236.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.07 | $264.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.34 | $290.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shelbyville
Based on $29.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.53/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shelbyville, TN can expect to earn approximately $61,433 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,442. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Shelbyville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shelbyville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,181.40 | $5,119 | $61,433 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.84 | $3,072 | $36,860 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.56 | $2,048 | $24,573 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Shelbyville) | $29.53 |
| 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 Shelbyville, TN earn a median of $61,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $64,204.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.53/hr = $36,860/year (purchasing power: $40,152).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,433/year (purchasing power: $66,920).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Shelbyville grew 16.3% from $24.72/hr (2019) to $28.75/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.34/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 Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville
Examining the part-time earning potential, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week would generate a yearly income of approximately $36,861, which presents a different financial picture compared to full-time positions. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Shelbyville typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, making it an appealing option for flexible work arrangements. However, agencies providing staffing for skilled nursing facilities may offer lower pay due to recent adjustments following the 2022 Medicare cuts, which have impacted reimbursement for services. The hourly rates can vary greatly depending on the type of employer; outpatient orthopedic clinics might offer more competitive wages compared to hospital or home health agencies. Many professionals must weigh the choice between pursuing higher hourly rates, which often come without benefits, versus positions that provide health insurance and job security. Negotiating pay can also be influenced by the high demand for PTAs in certain facilities, and understanding local market trends can lead to more successful negotiations for those in Shelbyville.
More salary data for Shelbyville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Shelbyville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Shelbyville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Shelbyville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Shelbyville?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Shelbyville?
Related Pages
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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 Shelbyville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shelbyville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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