PT Assistant Salary

Florence vs Lexington: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Florence, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, KY
$63,399
$30.48/hr
Lexington, KY
$64,443
$30.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$63,399$64,443
Hourly Rate$30.48$30.98
Entry Level (P10)$45,520$27,717
25th Percentile$55,742$50,502
75th Percentile$70,992$77,797
Top Earner (P90)$78,645$84,968
Total Employed7310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($63,399) and Lexington ($64,443) physical therapist assistant salaries.FlorenceLexingtonMedian Salary$63,399$64,443Entry Level (P10)$45,520$27,717Top Earner (P90)$78,645$84,968US Median $70,247

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Lexington is $1,044 (1.65%). Lexington's median is -8.26% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $33,125,Lexington spans $57,251. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$45,520
P25$55,742
Median$63,399
P75$70,992
P90 (Top)$78,645
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$27,717
P25$50,502
Median$64,443
P75$77,797
P90 (Top)$84,968

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Florence ($70,996 effective) pays 2.33% more than Lexington ($69,376 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $63,399
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $70,996
Lexington
Nominal: $64,443
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $69,376

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,996)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,443/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,968)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Florence grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.9% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Florence, KY

+12.5%

$54,863 (2024) → $61,714 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+11.9%

$56,080 (2019) → $62,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Florence or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $64,443/year, compared to Florence at $63,399/year — a difference of $1,044 (1.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Lexington?

Florence physical therapist assistants earn $30.48/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $30.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Lexington as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $70,996, Lexington = $69,376), job availability (7 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Florence vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $45,520 in Florence and $27,717 in Lexington. The Florence area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov