Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $63,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $63,518/year (≈ $30.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $68,245 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, is estimated at $63,518, reflecting a notable difference compared to the national median of $70,247. Salaries range from $29,576 at the 10th percentile to $82,800 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying compensation levels influenced by workplace settings. This data is derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and illustrates the implications of recent changes within the healthcare industry. The shift in reimbursement structures post-Medicare cuts has particularly impacted physical therapist assistant pay within skilled nursing facilities, while outpatient services are showing more promise for higher compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,576 | $14.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,653 | $24.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,518 | $30.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,941 | $37.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,800 | $39.81 |
Median Salary Position
9.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,224 (2026 est.). At $63,518, the local median is 9.58% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Louisville/Jefferson County Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $63,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $63,966 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.58% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $63,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.58% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% below the Kentucky state average of $63,966.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,245 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,050
2025 BLS Actual
$61,830
2026 Current Est.
$63,518
2019–2027 Growth
+14.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 8.4% from $57,050 (2019) to $61,830 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,202 (14.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville/Jefferson County 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) | $29,576 – $51,653 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,653 – $63,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,518 – $77,941 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,941 – $82,800 |
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 Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, approximately 750 physical therapist assistants are employed across various settings, from outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities to home health agencies and pediatric clinics. Given the area’s cost-of-living index of 93.074, which is below the national average, the reality is that PTAs here enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Employers in the outpatient sector, particularly larger chains and private clinics, tend to offer better pay compared to skilled nursing facilities, where recent Medicare cuts have constrained budgets. Factors influencing salary variations include the type of practice, productivity expectations, and whether supervisors are looking for weekend or PRN staff, all of which can greatly affect earnings potential. For those aiming to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, strategies such as seeking positions in high-paying outpatient clinics or exploring additional certifications can enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY in 2026?
Is Louisville/Jefferson County, KY a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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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 $61,830 for physical therapist assistantsin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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