Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Paducah, KY: $29.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Paducah, KY runs $29.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,323 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Paducah's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,193 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Paducah, KY, a physical therapist assistant earns a median hourly pay of $29.00. This figure is considerably below the national median of $33.77, which highlights the relative earning potential for PTAs in this region. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the income can still be suitable, especially in environments like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. The hourly pay range for PTAs in Paducah spans from $17.33 at entry-level positions to up to $38.39 for top earners. Given that this data is based on projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2026, it provides a clear snapshot of expected compensation for the profession in local settings.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.33 | $138.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.72 | $205.79 |
| Median (P50) | $29.00 | $232.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.50 | $284.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.39 | $307.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paducah
Based on $29.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.00/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paducah, KY can expect to earn approximately $60,321 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,801. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Paducah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paducah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,160.03 | $5,027 | $60,321 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $696.02 | $3,016 | $36,193 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.01 | $2,011 | $24,129 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Paducah) | $29.00 |
| 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 Paducah, KY earn a median of $60,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.70% below the Kentucky state average of $63,969.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.00/hr = $36,193/year (purchasing power: $42,044).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,321/year (purchasing power: $70,073).
CoL index: 86.084 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Paducah grew 16.3% from $24.27/hr (2019) to $28.23/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.79/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 Paducah 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 Paducah
For part-time physical therapist assistants working a 24-hour week in Paducah, the annual take-home pay can amount to approximately $36,288, a significant difference from those working full-time hours. The per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Paducah typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, making it an appealing option for flexible work schedules. PTA contracts in travel settings often provide lucrative weekly payments of $1,200 to $1,800, but it's essential to consider how the current Medicare reimbursement cuts can affect overall compensation, especially in skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates vary across employer types, with outpatient clinics generally offering more competitive pay compared to pediatric therapy programs or hospitals. PTAs must weigh the benefits of stable employment with health insurance against higher per-hour rates often seen in agency roles that lack such benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can be particularly beneficial; understanding local market rates and being clear about the value you bring can lead to better compensation arrangements in Paducah.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Paducah in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Paducah?
Are physical therapist assistants in Paducah paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Paducah?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Paducah?
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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 Paducah. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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