Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisville, KY: $69,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Louisville, KY earns a median $69,754/year (≈ $33.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $78,112 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is $69,754 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $70,247. With annual earnings ranging from $44,915 at the lower end to $94,379 at the higher end, local practitioners find themselves in a competitive pay environment. These estimates, which account for regional cost adjustments from BLS state-level data, illustrate not only the earning potential but also the burden of productivity expectations within various healthcare settings. As PTAs contribute to patient care through degrees of supervision, demand for their services influences compensation, making Louisville an intriguing market for those entering the field.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,915 | $21.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,960 | $27.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,754 | $33.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,848 | $39.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,379 | $45.38 |
Median Salary Position
0.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,464 (2026 est.). At $69,754, the local median is 0.7% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be above the median
How Louisville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Louisville median: $69,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $63,994 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -0.70% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Louisville, KY earn a median of $69,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $63,994.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville 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.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $69,754 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,112 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
$58,377
2025 BLS Actual
$67,900
2026 Current Est.
$69,754
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,377 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,329 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,362 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $58,377 (2019) to $67,900 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,281 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $44,915 – $57,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,960 – $69,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,754 – $81,848 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,848 – $94,379 |
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
Job opportunities for physical therapist assistants in Louisville are promising, with about 132 PTAs currently employed in the area, which contributes to a healthy job market. The cost-of-living index of 89.3 indicates that living expenses are lower than the national average, which enhances take-home purchasing power for local workers. Among various sectors, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may see lower pay rates due to the impact of Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut since 2022. Factors influencing salary disparities include the setting of employment, productivity expectations, and potential for weekend or PRN work, all of which can vary significantly. To maximize earnings, PTAs in Louisville should consider seeking employment in high-paying outpatient settings, while staying informed on how healthcare policies and local market demands affect compensation.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Louisville, KY in 2026?
Is Louisville, KY a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Louisville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Louisville?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Louisville?
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 $67,900 for physical therapist assistantsin the Louisville 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 Louisville 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