Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Independence, KY: $63,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Independence, KY earns a median $63,474/year (≈ $30.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Independence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $71,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist assistant salary in Independence, KY, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $63,474, reflecting a nuanced employment landscape that has evolved since recent Medicare cuts. The salary range for professionals in this role spans from $45,699 at the 10th percentile to $81,132 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the variations that depend on specific practice settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local market conditions, illustrate the impact of shifts in service delivery, particularly contrasting outpatient clinics with skilled nursing facilities. Independence's job market is adapting to these changes, indicating a growing demand for skilled physical therapist assistants, especially in outpatient environments where reimbursement models are evolving.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,699 | $21.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,901 | $26.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,474 | $30.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,534 | $34.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,132 | $39.01 |
Median Salary Position
9.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,433 (2026 est.). At $63,474, the local median is 9.64% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Independence Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Independence median: $63,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $63,986 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.64% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Independence, KY earn a median of $63,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.64% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $63,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence 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.
Independence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,474 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,080 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,122
2025 BLS Actual
$61,787
2026 Current Est.
$63,474
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,122 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,007 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,787 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,207 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,122 (2019) to $61,787 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,207 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,085 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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) | $45,699 – $55,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,901 – $63,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,474 – $72,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,534 – $81,132 |
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 Independence
In Independence, the local job market for physical therapist assistants features a modest employment base, with only five professionals currently working in the area. The cost-of-living index of 89.3 suggests that while salaries may appear lower than national averages, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies tend to offer the highest compensation among employers. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors including the ongoing impact of the Medicare 15% cut on reimbursement rates, which has adversely affected salaries in skilled nursing facilities. To maximize pay in this competitive market, aspiring PTAs are advised to focus on outpatient settings and explore additional credentials or specializations that enhance their value, such as completing PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, which can lead to higher earning potential in the future.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Independence?
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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
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 $61,787 for physical therapist assistantsin the Independence 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 Independence 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