Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $33.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Louisville, KY runs $33.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,754 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,847 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $33.53 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $33.77, indicating that while local rates are competitive, there can be variances depending on the geographic and economic context of each region. For part-time physical therapist assistants working three days a week, this translates to a manageable income that supports flexible schedules common in outpatient clinic settings, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care. The hourly rate ranges from $21.59 for entry-level positions to $45.38 for top earners, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization within the profession. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, provide a useful reference for prospective PTAs considering employment options in Louisville.
About the Louisville 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) | $21.59 | $172.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.87 | $222.97 |
| Median (P50) | $33.53 | $268.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.35 | $314.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.38 | $363.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $33.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.53/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $69,745 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,237. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,341.24 | $5,812 | $69,745 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $804.75 | $3,487 | $41,847 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $536.50 | $2,325 | $27,898 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Louisville) | $33.53 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $69,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $63,994.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.53/hr = $41,847/year (purchasing power: $46,861).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,745/year (purchasing power: $78,101).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Louisville grew 16.3% from $28.06/hr (2019) to $32.64/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.45/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Beyond standard hourly pay, the income potential for physical therapist assistants in Louisville can vary significantly based on work arrangements and employer types. A part-time PTA working just 24 hours a week can expect to earn roughly $41,764 annually, which contrasts starkly with full-time roles that offer robust benefits and higher overall income. Per diem physical therapist assistants may see hourly compensation between $32 and $48, while travel contracts often yield weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800. Within Louisville, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher hourly rates compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have been affected by the recent 15% Medicare Part B reimbursement cut. Many PTAs must weigh the advantages of higher pay against the security of health benefits that come with full-time employment. Negotiation is key; professionals should articulate their value and stay updated on prevailing rates to achieve desirable terms in this competitive market.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Louisville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Louisville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Louisville?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville?
Related Pages
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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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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