Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $31,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Elizabethtown, KY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $31,035 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Elizabethtown's local price level (BEA RPP 90.6 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $34,266 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,213) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting salaries for physical therapist assistants in Elizabethtown, KY, reflect an entry-level pay scale that begins at approximately $31,035 in 2026, presenting a significant gap when compared to the city median salary of $62,213. This initial pay level sets realistic expectations for new graduates stepping into the workforce, placing them well below the city's median, yet allowing for growth potential over the first few years. With a projected trajectory taking entry-level professionals toward the first quartile of $53,091 and possibly closer to the median in three to five years, new PTAs in Elizabethtown have a promising outlook in terms of salary advancement. Given the current demand for physical therapists and assistants in this area, Elizabethtown represents a favorable market for recent graduates, particularly those prepared to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.
Career Earnings Timeline in Elizabethtown
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Elizabethtown, KY typically start between $31,035 and $53,091 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,193 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,213 — 11.44% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Kentucky of $13,000 represents just 41.89% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($31,035/year) in Elizabethtown. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Elizabethtown
- 1Research the Elizabethtown market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $31,035 to $53,091, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in KY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Elizabethtown, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Elizabethtown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Elizabethtown's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Elizabethtown is $53,193 ( 171.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $31,035, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,228.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,000
2025 BLS Actual
$30,210
2026 Current Est.
$31,035
2019–2027 Growth
+-29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $22,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,882 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Elizabethtown, KY grew -32.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,000 in 2019 to $30,210 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $31,882. New graduates entering the Elizabethtown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, outpatient therapy clinics are the primary employers for new grads, actively hiring entry-level physical therapist assistants. While skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are still recruiting despite financial pressures from recent reimbursement cuts, they are increasingly looking for professionals with experience. New graduates should prioritize earning an associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and passing the NPTAE national exam to secure a valid state PTA license; these credentials are essential for enhancing starting pay in Kentucky's competitive job market. Continued education, like APTA's advanced proficiency certifications, can open more opportunities. Considering the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for PTA services since 2022, new graduates may find salary growth is more stable in outpatient settings than in SNFs. Realistically, PTAs entering the workforce can anticipate gradual salary increases within their first few years, especially if they take on responsibilities and gain additional training under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, in line with state regulations.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Elizabethtown in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Elizabethtown?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Elizabethtown?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Elizabethtown?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Kentucky?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Elizabethtown. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov