Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kentucky: $64,125 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $64,125/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,809 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($67,900), Owensboro ($62,860), Bowling Green ($62,740).
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Kentucky are expected to earn an average median salary of $64,125, which is 8.7% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary ranges significantly across the state, with Louisville offering the highest average at $69,754, while Murray presents the lowest at $59,840. This $9,914 disparity can be attributed to several factors, including cost of living, demand for rehabilitation services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. Kentucky has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that govern the responsibilities of physical therapist assistants. These regulations can influence salary levels and job responsibilities, affecting overall demand. Additionally, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 2.73%, the job market for physical therapist assistants in Kentucky is expected to remain stable, reflecting the ongoing need for rehabilitation services across the state. The top five cities in projected salaries for 2026 are Louisville at $69,754, Owensboro at $64,576, Bowling Green at $64,453, Lexington at $64,443, and Louisville/Jefferson County at $63,518. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in Kentucky.
Kentucky Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $27,717 (lowest entry-level) to $94,379 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky physical therapist assistants earn 8.71% less than the national median ($-6,122/year difference).
Kentucky Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Kentucky range from $33,152 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,183 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,125. The Kentucky median is $6,122 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $30.83/hr. Approximately 1,588 physical therapist assistants are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,193
2025 BLS Actual
$62,421
2026 Current Est.
$64,125
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,193 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,364 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,947 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,667 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,935 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,191 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,421 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,125 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,876 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 9.1% from $57,193 (2019) to $62,421 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,876 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,683 (15.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $59,840 |
| Paducah | $60,323 |
| Jeffersontown | $60,738 |
| Madisonville | $60,952 |
| Georgetown | $61,180 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $69,754 | 89.3 | $78,112 |
| Owensboro | $64,576 | 88.61 | $72,877 |
| Bowling Green | $64,453 | 90.179 | $71,472 |
| Independence | $63,474 | 89.3 | $71,080 |
| Florence | $63,399 | 89.3 | $70,996 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,152 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,125 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,183 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $69,754 |
| 2 | Owensboro | $64,576 |
| 3 | Bowling Green | $64,453 |
| 4 | Lexington | $64,443 |
| 5 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $63,518 |
| 6 | Independence | $63,474 |
| 7 | Florence | $63,399 |
| 8 | Covington | $63,131 |
| 9 | Nicholasville | $63,012 |
| 10 | Richmond | $62,997 |
| 11 | Frankfort | $62,674 |
| 12 | Henderson | $62,570 |
| 13 | Hopkinsville | $62,346 |
| 14 | Ashland | $62,308 |
| 15 | Elizabethtown | $62,213 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $61,395 |
| 17 | Georgetown | $61,180 |
| 18 | Madisonville | $60,952 |
| 19 | Jeffersontown | $60,738 |
| 20 | Paducah | $60,323 |
| 21 | Murray | $59,840 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Kentucky?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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