Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ashland, KY: $62,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ashland, KY earns a median $62,308/year (≈ $29.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $69,774 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashland, Kentucky, the expected annual salary for physical therapist assistants reaches a median of $62,308 for 2026, reflecting a notable distinction from the national average of $70,247. The salary range spans from $44,883 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $75,923 at the higher end (90th percentile), offering potential for substantial earnings depending on experience and setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors. The local market's alignment with outpatient versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) positions, especially due to the impact of recent Medicare cuts, has influenced this salary landscape markedly. As healthcare dynamics evolve, physical therapist assistants in Ashland find themselves navigating a market that increasingly favors outpatient settings while simultaneously managing the residual effects of reimbursement adjustments.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,883 | $21.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,915 | $26.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,308 | $29.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,315 | $33.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,923 | $36.50 |
Median Salary Position
11.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,040 (2026 est.). At $62,308, the local median is 11.3% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be above the median
How Ashland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ashland median: $62,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $63,971 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.30% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ashland, KY earn a median of $62,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.30% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $63,971.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,308 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,774 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$52,146
2025 BLS Actual
$60,652
2026 Current Est.
$62,308
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,146 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,676 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,838 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,652 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,146 (2019) to $60,652 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,863 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,883 – $54,915 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,915 – $62,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,308 – $69,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,315 – $75,923 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Ashland
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Ashland remains relatively limited, with only four professionals currently employed in this role. This scarcity, combined with a cost-of-living index of 89.3, suggests that while salaries may appear modest compared to national standards, the lower living costs could enhance overall purchasing power for local residents. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide the highest salaries, superseding other settings such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. This variation in pay generally correlates with the type of clinical environment; positions in hospital rehab units tend to offer better compensation than those in outpatient or SNF settings, reflecting higher productivity demands and the additional supervision responsibilities mandated by CMS regulations. To maximize earnings in this market, aspirants and current PTAs should consider positions in outpatient clinics, focus on building special skill sets that enhance service offerings, and explore opportunities for advancement into supervisory or specialized roles, which can ultimately lead to more favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Ashland, KY in 2026?
Is Ashland, KY a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Ashland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Ashland?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Ashland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,652 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ashland metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ashland 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