Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Starkville, MS: $42.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Starkville, MS runs $42.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,745 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Starkville's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,644 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The physical therapist hourly pay in Starkville, Mississippi, is projected to be $42.18 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $50.62. This disparity can impact part-time professionals working three days a week, as they would earn around $31,000 annually at that rate. Often, those engaging in per diem work find opportunities in various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, where the flexibility allows for a balanced lifestyle. With an hourly range extending from $31.20 for entry-level to $52.41 for top earners, physical therapists in Starkville can navigate their options, keeping in mind that these figures are estimates based on annual salary data.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.20 | $249.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.12 | $296.97 |
| Median (P50) | $42.18 | $337.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.41 | $387.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.41 | $419.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Starkville
Based on $42.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.18/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Starkville, MS can expect to earn approximately $87,740 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,619. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Starkville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Starkville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,687.31 | $7,312 | $87,740 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,012.39 | $4,387 | $52,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $674.92 | $2,925 | $35,096 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Starkville) | $42.18 |
| 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 Starkville, MS earn a median of $87,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $90,272.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.18/hr = $52,644/year (purchasing power: $61,428).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,740/year (purchasing power: $102,381).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Starkville grew 14.9% from $35.83/hr (2019) to $41.17/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.22/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 Starkville 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 Starkville
For part-time therapists working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week, their annual earnings are quite different from those of their full-time counterparts. While full-time employment can lead to benefits and higher overall earnings, many per diem physical therapists are drawn to the freedom their jobs offer, which often compensates them at a higher level—billing between $50 and $75 per hour. In Starkville, hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics frequently pay less than hospital systems that might offer additional incentives. Many physical therapists face the decision of accepting lower hourly rates for traditional employment benefits versus pursuing higher earning potential without employer support. For those negotiating their rates in Starkville, emphasizing specialized skills or experience can be an effective strategy, especially given the competitive landscape shaped by larger chains and evolving reimbursement models.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Starkville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Starkville?
Are physical therapists in Starkville paid hourly or salary?
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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 Starkville. 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 Starkville 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