Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Florence, KY: $63,399 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Florence, KY earns a median $63,399/year (≈ $30.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Florence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $70,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 projected physical therapist assistant salary in Florence, KY, sits at $63,399, notably below the national median of $70,247, indicating a local market more directly impacted by recent Medicare reimbursement cuts. With salaries ranging from $45,520 at the lower end to $78,645 for the highest earners, these figures illustrate the varied earning potential within the city’s healthcare landscape. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, suggest that the outpatient and skilled nursing facility (SNF) dynamics are strained, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut, which has intensified competition and affected pay across the board. Despite these challenges, Florence continues to offer employment opportunities for physical therapist assistants as they navigate this evolving market.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,520 | $21.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,742 | $26.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,399 | $30.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,992 | $34.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,645 | $37.81 |
Median Salary Position
9.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,125 (2026 est.). At $63,399, the local median is 9.75% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Florence median: $63,399/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $63,975 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.75% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Florence, KY earn a median of $63,399 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $63,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence 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.
Florence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,399 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,996 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,059
2025 BLS Actual
$61,714
2026 Current Est.
$63,399
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,059 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,216 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,863 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,714 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,399 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,130 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,059 (2019) to $61,714 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,130 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,071 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $45,520 – $55,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,742 – $63,399 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,399 – $70,992 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,992 – $78,645 |
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 Florence
In Florence, the job market currently employs seven physical therapist assistants, indicating a modest but stable environment for those entering this profession. The cost-of-living index of 89.3 reveals that while salaries may seem lower compared to national standards, they stretch further in daily life. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the most competitive pay, while settings like skilled nursing facilities may struggle due to the reduced Medicare reimbursements. Variations in earnings can be attributed to factors like productivity expectations and weekend shifts, which may come with higher premiums. To optimize pay in this market, physical therapist assistants should consider roles in higher-paying environments, pursue additional certifications to enhance skills, or explore PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways that may open more lucrative opportunities in the long run.
More salary data for Florence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Florence?
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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
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 $61,714 for physical therapist assistantsin the Florence 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 Florence 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