Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $50.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Athens, GA runs $50.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,069 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,439 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the physical therapist hourly pay is projected to be $50.03 in 2026, closely aligning with the national hourly median of $50.62. This rate offers solid earning potential for physical therapists working part-time, especially those who operate three days a week or part-time in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. With a substantial hourly range spanning from $37.11 for entry-level positions to $64.02 for top earners, the profession demonstrates a promising trajectory. These figures are based on the latest 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the value of skill and expertise in this vital healthcare sector.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.11 | $296.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.14 | $321.15 |
| Median (P50) | $50.03 | $400.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.81 | $446.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.02 | $512.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $50.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.03/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $104,065 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,037. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,001.25 | $8,672 | $104,065 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,200.75 | $5,203 | $62,439 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $800.50 | $3,469 | $41,626 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Athens) | $50.03 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Athens, GA earn a median of $104,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.16% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% above the Georgia state average of $103,448.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.03/hr = $62,439/year (purchasing power: $66,892).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,065/year (purchasing power: $111,487).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Athens grew 36.4% from $35.81/hr (2019) to $48.83/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.26/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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 2.46% 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 in Athens
Examining part-time opportunities further reveals that a physical therapist working 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $62,000 annually, a figure that, while impressive, illustrates the earning gap compared to full-time positions. Many physical therapists consider per diem contracts, where they can earn between $50 and $75 per hour, or even travel PT roles with weekly pay ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, driving further appeal among those seeking flexibility. Different employer types influence hourly rates, with outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offering competitive wages but potentially less than hospital rehab settings. A balance often exists between hourly pay and benefits, leading some professionals to opt for slightly lower wages to secure health insurance. Those looking to negotiate effectively in Athens can find success by researching employer trends and highlighting their specializations through relevant certifications and experience in diverse practice settings.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Athens in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Athens?
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How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Athens?
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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.
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 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Athens. 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov