Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Clarksville, TN: $48.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Clarksville, TN runs $48.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Clarksville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,125 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Clarksville, Tennessee, the current physical therapist hourly pay stands at $48.18, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $50.62. This median rate offers various opportunities for part-time professionals or per-diem workers, especially in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and sports performance centers. For physical therapists working part-time, such as those on a 3-day, 24-hour weekly schedule, the hourly rate helps translate to earnings that can sustain a comfortable lifestyle, especially given Clarksville’s cost of living index of 90.947, which is below the national average. Entry-level physical therapists can expect to start at around $30.66 per hour, while highly experienced professionals may earn up to $61.14 per hour, reflecting the range of expertise available in this growing field.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.66 | $245.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.35 | $322.79 |
| Median (P50) | $48.18 | $385.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.84 | $430.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.14 | $489.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clarksville
Based on $48.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.18/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clarksville, TN can expect to earn approximately $100,208 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,812. 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) | $1,927.07 | $8,351 | $100,208 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,156.24 | $5,010 | $60,125 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $770.83 | $3,340 | $40,083 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Clarksville) | $48.18 |
| 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 Clarksville, TN earn a median of $100,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.82% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% above the Tennessee state average of $99,916.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.18/hr = $60,125/year (purchasing power: $66,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,208/year (purchasing power: $110,182).
CoL index: 90.947 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Clarksville grew 13.3% from $41.51/hr (2019) to $47.02/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.36/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 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 2.46% 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 Clarksville
Examining the financial landscape for physical therapists in Clarksville reveals interesting nuances regarding earning potential. A part-time physical therapist working 24 hours weekly might take home an annual income in the neighborhood of $50,000, considerably lower than full-time counterparts who could exceed $100,000. On the per-diem front, many therapists find lucrative opportunities, billing between $50 and $75 per hour, while travel positions can offer weekly salaries between $1,800 and $2,800, often including stipends for housing. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on employment settings; outpatient orthopedic clinics, whether chains like Athletico or local practices, often offer different compensation structures compared to hospital systems or home health agencies. It’s essential for therapists to weigh the benefits of consistent hours and insurance coverage against potentially higher per hour rates without those benefits. Negotiating contracts effectively, especially in a city like Clarksville, requires understanding the value of experience and the dynamics of local healthcare settings, ensuring physical therapists maximize their hourly earnings.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Clarksville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Clarksville?
Are physical therapists in Clarksville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Clarksville?
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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 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 2.46%, 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