Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Frankfort, KY: $30.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Frankfort, KY runs $30.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,674 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Frankfort's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,603 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Frankfort, Kentucky, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $30.13 by 2026, slightly below the national median of $33.77 per hour. This rate can have significant implications for part-time workers, such as those operating on a 3-day work week, enabling them to supplement their income while maintaining flexibility. For practitioners in various settings—including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health environments, hospital rehabilitation units, and pediatric clinics—the hourly range extends from $21.05 for entry-level positions to $39.61 for more experienced professionals. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, reflect the nuanced pay scale within the field, influenced by experience, setting, and specific employer practices.
About the Frankfort 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) | $21.05 | $168.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.06 | $208.50 |
| Median (P50) | $30.13 | $241.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.97 | $271.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.61 | $316.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Frankfort
Based on $30.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.13/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Frankfort, KY can expect to earn approximately $62,672 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,157. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Frankfort.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Frankfort
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,205.23 | $5,223 | $62,672 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.14 | $3,134 | $37,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.09 | $2,089 | $25,069 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Frankfort) | $30.13 |
| 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 Frankfort, KY earn a median of $62,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.78% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $63,953.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.13/hr = $37,603/year (purchasing power: $42,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,672/year (purchasing power: $70,181).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Frankfort grew 16.3% from $25.22/hr (2019) to $29.33/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.95/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 Frankfort 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 Frankfort
Focusing on the earning potential for part-time physical therapist assistants, a typical 24-hour workweek translates to about $37,000 annually, which can be an attractive option compared to a full-time schedule. For nurses seeking flexibility through per diem roles, pay rates can range from $32 to $48 per hour, depending on the contract and clinical demands. However, the evolving Medicare landscape, particularly the 15% cut effective in 2022, has placed pressure on the compensation offered in skilled nursing facilities and other Medicare-reliant settings. The type of employer plays a crucial role in wage variations; outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies often offer competitive rates, while facilities with lower reimbursement levels may reflect reduced hourly compensation. Ultimately, physical therapist assistants should consider the benefits package that comes with straightforward hourly rates—often lower wages can offer health insurance and other perks while higher rates may lack these benefits. Negotiating pay effectively in Frankfort can depend on understanding these dynamics, market demand, and personal career goals.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Frankfort in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Frankfort?
Are physical therapist assistants in Frankfort paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Frankfort?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Frankfort?
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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
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 Frankfort. 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 Frankfort 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