Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Paducah, KY: $60,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Paducah, KY earns a median $60,323/year (≈ $29.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $70,075 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Paducah, Kentucky is projected to reach a median annual figure of $60,323, notably below the national median of $70,247. This compensation reflects the challenges faced in a market shaped by recent Medicare cuts which have notably impacted settings like skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The discrepancy in pay is significant, with a range spanning from $36,038 at the 10th percentile to as high as $79,842 for those at the 90th percentile. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys reveals this salary structure, highlighting how various factors in the healthcare landscape affect compensation for PTAs in Paducah. These shifts underscore the necessity for prospective PTAs to be aware of their employment settings, as outpatient clinics generally offer more competitive pay compared to SNFs after the cuts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,038 | $17.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,502 | $25.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,323 | $29.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,842 | $35.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,842 | $38.39 |
Median Salary Position
14.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,804 (2026 est.). At $60,323, the local median is 14.13% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Paducah Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Paducah median: $60,323/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $63,969 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.13% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Paducah, KY earn a median of $60,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.70% below the Kentucky state average of $63,969.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,323 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,075 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,485
2025 BLS Actual
$58,720
2026 Current Est.
$60,323
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,537 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,027 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,485 (2019) to $58,720 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,485 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $36,038 – $53,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,502 – $60,323 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,323 – $73,842 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,842 – $79,842 |
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 Paducah
Looking deeper into the local job market, there are currently 60 physical therapist assistants employed in Paducah, pointing to a niche but stable demand for these professionals. The area maintains a cost-of-living index of 86.084, indicating that while salaries may trail national averages, the lower expenses can somewhat enhance take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals, primarily due to differing productivity expectations and supervision requirements. The recent 15% Medicare cut has further exacerbated wage compression, particularly in settings heavily reliant on Medicare reimbursement. To maximize compensation in Paducah, aspiring PTAs should consider positions in outpatient services, seek additional certifications, and remain adaptable to the evolving healthcare environment fueled by legislative changes and patient care demands.
More salary data for Paducah, 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 $58,720 for physical therapist assistantsin the Paducah 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, 2-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