Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Ashland, KY: $29.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Ashland, KY runs $29.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,308 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Ashland's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,385 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashland, Kentucky, the projected hourly pay for physical therapist assistants stands at $29.96, which is about 11.30% less than the national hourly median of $33.77. This rate can significantly impact those considering part-time positions, such as those working three days a week in various settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and pediatric therapy environments. With an hourly range from $21.57 for entry-level positions to a high of $36.50 for experienced professionals, physical therapist assistants have the flexibility to balance their workloads based on personal and professional commitments. These hourly figures are derived from the annual salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data, highlighting the importance of understanding the financial landscape when choosing a career path in physical therapy.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.57 | $172.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.40 | $211.21 |
| Median (P50) | $29.96 | $239.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.33 | $266.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.50 | $292.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ashland
Based on $29.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.96/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ashland, KY can expect to earn approximately $62,309 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,947. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ashland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ashland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,198.24 | $5,192 | $62,309 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.95 | $3,115 | $37,385 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.30 | $2,077 | $24,923 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Ashland) | $29.96 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ashland, KY earn a median of $62,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.30% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $63,971.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.96/hr = $37,385/year (purchasing power: $41,865).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,309/year (purchasing power: $69,774).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Ashland grew 16.3% from $25.07/hr (2019) to $29.16/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Ashland
For part-time physical therapist assistants working a 24-hour week, the annual take-home would be approximately $37,430, which is significantly lower than a full-time counterpart. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Ashland can vary from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel PTA assignments offering lucrative contracts that typically range from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. The compensation landscape is affected by where one works; outpatient clinics and pediatric facilities might offer different pay scales compared to skilled nursing facilities, particularly in light of the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement that began in 2022, which has put pressure on PTA rates in Medicare-reliant environments. Some physical therapist assistants opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits, while others may prefer higher pay without health insurance coverage. For negotiation, understanding the local pay ranges, employer types, and the implications of the Medicare cuts can greatly enhance one's position when discussing potential salaries in Ashland, KY.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Ashland in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Ashland?
Are physical therapist assistants in Ashland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Ashland?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Ashland?
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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
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 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Ashland. 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 Ashland 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 2.73%, 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