Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Pine Bluff, AR: $48.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Pine Bluff, AR runs $48.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,951 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Pine Bluff's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,971 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, physical therapists can expect a median hourly rate of $48.05, which is slightly below the national average of $50.62. This rate is significant for part-time physical therapists working three days a week, earning a stable income in various settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and sports performance centers. Entry-level therapists begin at approximately $35.83 per hour, while experienced professionals can make upwards of $63.01. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, provide insight into the earning potential of physical therapists in the local market, highlighting the opportunities for both full-time and per-diem roles, especially as healthcare settings adapt to increasing demands for therapy services.
About the Pine Bluff Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.83 | $286.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.58 | $316.64 |
| Median (P50) | $48.05 | $384.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.16 | $457.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.01 | $504.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pine Bluff
Based on $48.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.05/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pine Bluff, AR can expect to earn approximately $99,952 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,664. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pine Bluff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pine Bluff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,922.15 | $8,329 | $99,952 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,153.29 | $4,998 | $59,971 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $768.86 | $3,332 | $39,981 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Pine Bluff) | $48.05 |
| 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 Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $99,951 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $102,409.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.05/hr = $59,971/year (purchasing power: $69,012).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,952/year (purchasing power: $115,019).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Pine Bluff grew 14.9% from $40.82/hr (2019) to $46.90/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.24/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 Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff
For a part-time physical therapist working a 24-hour week in Pine Bluff, the annual earnings versus a full-time schedule reveal notable differences; with a part-time role, a therapist might take home significantly less despite the flexibility it allows. Per diem physical therapists in the area typically earn between $50 and $75 per hour, while travel positions can offer lucrative contracts ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 a week, which includes stipends for expenses. However, hourly rates can vary based on the employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often offering lower pay relative to the healthcare sector’s higher-paying segments like hospital rehabilitation or sports medicine. Consequently, some therapists may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits, like health insurance, skewing their decision-making process. Negotiation for a better hourly rate can be advantageous, especially given the competitive nature of therapy services in Pine Bluff AR, where practice trends continue to evolve alongside reimbursement models and staffing needs.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Pine Bluff in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Pine Bluff?
Are physical therapists in Pine Bluff paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Pine Bluff?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Pine Bluff?
Related Pages
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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 Pine Bluff. 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 Pine Bluff 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 2.46%, 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