Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Owensboro, KY: $64,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Owensboro, KY earns a median $64,576/year (≈ $31.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Owensboro's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $72,877 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Owensboro, KY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,576, which reflects an 8.07% decrease compared to the national figure of $70,247. The salary range for these positions spans from $49,639 at the 10th percentile to $78,712 at the 90th percentile, offering a wide array of earning potential based on experience and work setting. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicating a localized demand for PTAs in the Owensboro area. The role's productivity expectations, particularly the number of patient visits per day, greatly influence compensation and job satisfaction in the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,639 | $23.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,498 | $27.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,576 | $31.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,322 | $34.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,712 | $37.85 |
Median Salary Position
8.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owensboro
In Owensboro, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,073 (2026 est.). At $64,576, the local median is 8.07% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owensboro: You'd be above the median
How Owensboro Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Owensboro median: $64,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $64,000 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.07% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $64,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.07% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% above the Kentucky state average of $64,000.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owensboro has a cost of living 11.39% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owensboro, KY has a cost-of-living index of 88.61 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,576 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,877 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,970
2025 BLS Actual
$62,860
2026 Current Est.
$64,576
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,945 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,339 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owensboro metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 10.3% from $56,970 (2019) to $62,860 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,339 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,369 (16.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owensboro 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) | $49,639 – $57,498 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,498 – $64,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,576 – $72,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,322 – $78,712 |
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 Owensboro
Currently, 80 physical therapist assistants are employed in Owensboro, facing a cost of living index of 88.61, which is below the national average and enhances take-home purchasing power. Employers within outpatient orthopedic clinics generally compensate higher than those in skilled nursing facilities, where payment compression due to Medicare’s cuts has impacted earnings significantly. This compression is driven by several factors, including the evolving productivity needs and the varying supervision requirements across settings. With advancements in educational pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, aspiring PTAs may find opportunities to enhance their qualifications and earning potential. To maximize pay, PTAs should consider specializing in outpatient clinics or obtaining additional certifications that enhance clinical skills, aiding them in navigating both pay scales and job opportunities in Owensboro.
More salary data for Owensboro, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $62,860 for physical therapist assistantsin the Owensboro 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, 6-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