Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Bowling Green, KY: $45.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Bowling Green, KY runs $45.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,843 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Bowling Green's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,301 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist hourly pay in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is projected to reach a median of $45.11, slightly lower than the national median of $50.62. This rate suggests an attractive earning potential, particularly for part-time and per-diem workers who frequently operate in settings such as outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and home health environments. For professionals working three days a week, this equates to an appealing income, while those who pursue per-diem roles can negotiate for competitive compensation within an hourly range of $36.40 to $58.02. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicates a diverse pay spectrum from entry-level therapists to those reaching the high end of the pay scale, providing ample opportunities for career growth and specialization within the field.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.40 | $291.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.59 | $308.69 |
| Median (P50) | $45.11 | $360.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.83 | $398.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.02 | $464.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bowling Green
Based on $45.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.11/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bowling Green, KY can expect to earn approximately $93,835 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,136. With a cost-of-living index of 90.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bowling Green.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bowling Green
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,804.53 | $7,820 | $93,835 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,082.72 | $4,692 | $56,301 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $721.81 | $3,128 | $37,534 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Bowling Green) | $45.11 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $93,843 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.87% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.60% below the Kentucky state average of $99,410.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.11/hr = $56,301/year (purchasing power: $62,433).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,835/year (purchasing power: $104,055).
CoL index: 90.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Bowling Green grew 0.6% from $43.77/hr (2019) to $44.03/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.22/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Bowling Green
Exploring the financial landscape of physical therapy work in Bowling Green reveals intriguing earnings dynamics between part-time and full-time positions. A physical therapist working 24 hours a week may expect a reasonable annual income while enjoying a more flexible work style compared to traditional full-time roles. In contrast, per diem physical therapists often see higher hourly pay, frequently billing between $50 and $75, with travel contracts yielding $1,800 to $2,800 per week. In local settings, hourly rates also fluctuate significantly based on employment type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics frequently offering lower pay than hospital systems that can justify a higher hourly rate due to benefits and consistent clientele. Although accepting lower pay may come with health insurance and paid time off, many practitioners find higher hourly opportunities in cash-pay practices or agency work enticing for the freedom they offer. Negotiating compensation within Bowling Green can benefit from emphasizing the local cost of living and the demand for skilled therapists, especially as productivity expectations continue to rise in the face of reimbursement pressures from organizations like CMS.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Bowling Green. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov