Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lexington, KY: $64,443 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lexington, KY earns a median $64,443/year (≈ $30.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $69,376 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Lexington, Kentucky can expect to earn a median annual salary of $64,443, which is notably below the national average of $70,247. The projected salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $27,717, while experienced practitioners can earn up to $84,968. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a local market where outpatient settings and skilled nursing facilities have been particularly influenced by Medicare reimbursement cuts. As the structure of payment models diversifies, it remains crucial for practitioners to understand how these shifts impact job prospects and compensation in Lexington.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,717 | $13.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,502 | $24.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,443 | $30.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,797 | $37.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,968 | $40.85 |
Median Salary Position
8.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,251 (2026 est.). At $64,443, the local median is 8.26% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be above the median
How Lexington Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lexington median: $64,443/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $63,995 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.26% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lexington, KY earn a median of $64,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.26% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% above the Kentucky state average of $63,995.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,443 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,376 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,080
2025 BLS Actual
$62,730
2026 Current Est.
$64,443
2019–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,443 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 11.9% from $56,080 (2019) to $62,730 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,122 (18.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $27,717 – $50,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,502 – $64,443 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,443 – $77,797 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,797 – $84,968 |
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 Lexington
Looking at the job landscape, Lexington employs approximately 310 physical therapist assistants, highlighting a steady demand within the area. The cost of living index in Lexington stands at 92.889, indicating that the local expense for housing and essentials is relatively lower compared to the national average. This setting affects overall take-home pay and purchasing power for those in the profession. Generally, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab programs tend to offer the highest compensation. The variance in pay across different employers can largely be attributed to the setting dynamics—hospital roles typically yield higher pay due to more stringent productivity standards and workload expectations, especially with the added pressures from the Medicare cuts. To maximize salaries, PTAs should consider furthering their education or specializing in areas with high demand, allowing them to leverage their skills for better pay opportunities in Lexington.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lexington, KY in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lexington?
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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 $62,730 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lexington 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
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