Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Independence, KY: $30.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Independence, KY runs $30.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,474 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Independence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,090 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Independence, Kentucky, the projected hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant is estimated at $30.52, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate provides insight into the earnings potential for part-time physical therapist assistants working in various clinical settings, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. Those working three days a week typically earn around $624 weekly, equating to approximately $32,448 annually, while per-diem arrangements can yield different outcomes depending on demand and specific contracts. The hourly pay for physical therapist assistants in Independence typically spans from $21.97 for entry-level positions to as high as $39.01 for top earners, with actual figures derived from broader annual salary data.
About the Independence 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) | $21.97 | $175.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.87 | $214.99 |
| Median (P50) | $30.52 | $244.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.88 | $279.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.01 | $312.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Independence
Based on $30.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.52/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Independence, KY can expect to earn approximately $63,484 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,625. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Independence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Independence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,220.84 | $5,290 | $63,484 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $732.51 | $3,174 | $38,090 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.34 | $2,116 | $25,394 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Independence) | $30.52 |
| 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 Independence, KY earn a median of $63,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.64% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $63,986.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.52/hr = $38,090/year (purchasing power: $42,654).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,484/year (purchasing power: $71,091).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Independence grew 16.3% from $25.54/hr (2019) to $29.71/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.35/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 Independence 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 Independence
Exploring the financial landscape of physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Independence reveals diverse earning potentials across various employment settings. Part-time professionals, who may work 24-hour weeks, challenge themselves with the numbers if they seek to gauge annual income. Per diem physical therapist assistants in the area can earn between $32 and $48 per hour, offering flexibility but sometimes without benefits, which can be a significant factor for many workers. Conversely, agency staffing in skilled nursing facilities may see reduced hourly rates due to the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements that took effect in 2022, impacting PTA compensation in these environments. Physical therapist assistants considering their options in Independence should weigh hourly pay against benefits, negotiating terms based on their role, employer type, and whether they value higher pay over health insurance offerings. Understanding these nuances can help current students and recently graduated PTAs make informed career decisions in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Independence in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Independence?
Are physical therapist assistants in Independence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Independence?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Independence?
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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 Independence. 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 Independence 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