Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Shelbyville, TN: $61,443 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Shelbyville, TN earns a median $61,443/year (≈ $29.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Shelbyville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $66,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Shelbyville, Tennessee, a physical therapist assistant can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,443 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this role extends from $45,171 at the 10th percentile to around $75,581 at the 90th percentile. Local data reflects adjustments based on regional cost considerations, with Shelbyville's job market responding to the structural changes in the industry, particularly after the Medicare cuts that affected payment structures in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. This evolving landscape emphasizes the importance of understanding compensation dynamics in the realm of physical therapist assistant salaries in Shelbyville.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,171 | $21.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,622 | $26.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,443 | $29.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,793 | $33.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,581 | $36.34 |
Median Salary Position
12.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelbyville
In Shelbyville, TN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,410 (2026 est.). At $61,443, the local median is 12.53% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelbyville: You'd be above the median
How Shelbyville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Shelbyville median: $61,443/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelbyville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,204 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.53% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelbyville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shelbyville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,443 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,931 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,422
2025 BLS Actual
$59,810
2026 Current Est.
$61,443
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,422 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,279 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,512 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,049 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,989 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,443 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelbyville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,422 (2019) to $59,810 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,698 (22.75%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,171 – $54,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,622 – $61,443 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,443 – $68,793 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,793 – $75,581 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Shelbyville
The local job market features only four physical therapist assistants, indicating limited opportunities, yet this small pool offers a glimpse into competitive compensation practices across various employer settings. The cost-of-living index of 91.8 suggests that while salaries may be below the national average, the adjusted buying power can be favorable for residents. In Shelbyville, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically provide the highest wages, while skilled nursing facilities have been shaken by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, further widening salary disparities. Variations in pay can also be influenced by setting type, productivity expectations, and additional premiums for weekend or PRN shifts. For those looking to enhance their physical therapist assistant pay in Shelbyville, focusing on securing roles in higher-paying outpatient clinics, pursuing continual education, and considering a bridge pathway to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree can be beneficial strategies within this competitive market.
More salary data for Shelbyville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Shelbyville, TN in 2026?
Is Shelbyville, TN a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Shelbyville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Shelbyville?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Shelbyville?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,810 for physical therapist assistantsin the Shelbyville metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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