Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $47.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Nicholasville, KY runs $47.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,902 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,744 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Nicholasville, Kentucky, earn a median hourly rate of $47.07, slightly below the national median of $50.62. This hourly wage provides various opportunities, particularly for those working part-time, such as a three-day workweek in outpatient clinics, which could yield significant income while maintaining a suitable work-life balance. Entry-level physical therapists can expect to earn around $35.80 per hour, while top earners reach approximately $57.98 per hour, allowing for growth as one gains experience and expertise in settings such as hospital inpatient rehab units and home health visits. While the hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect the financial realities of practicing in Nicholasville's diverse therapy environments.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.80 | $286.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.29 | $314.35 |
| Median (P50) | $47.07 | $376.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.71 | $429.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.98 | $463.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $47.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.07/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $97,906 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,484. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,882.80 | $8,159 | $97,906 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,129.68 | $4,895 | $58,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $753.12 | $3,264 | $39,162 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Nicholasville) | $47.07 |
| 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 Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $97,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.02% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $99,392.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.07/hr = $58,744/year (purchasing power: $65,782).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,906/year (purchasing power: $109,637).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Nicholasville grew 14.9% from $39.99/hr (2019) to $45.94/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.23/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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville
Part-time physical therapists, averaging 24 hours a week, take home about $54,858 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Many opt for per diem roles or locum tenens positions, often billing between $50 and $75 per hour, which can be lucrative, especially when considering travel assignments that pay up to $2,800 weekly including stipends. In Nicholasville, hourly rates differ across employer types; outpatient clinics may offer lower pay than hospitals due to performance-based incentives. Physical therapists, in particular, face decisions on balancing hourly wages against benefits—those accepting positions with lower pay may receive health insurance, while others work for higher hourly rates without such perks. Negotiating effectively for better hourly compensation can involve showcasing specialized skills, maintaining excellent productivity metrics, and understanding the value of services within the competitive landscape of Kentucky therapy jobs.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Nicholasville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Nicholasville?
Are physical therapists in Nicholasville paid hourly or salary?
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Career Resources
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 Nicholasville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Nicholasville 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 2.46%, 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