Physical Therapist Salary in Kentucky: $101,076 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $101,076/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,187 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($105,775), Elizabethtown ($104,280), Louisville/Jefferson County ($102,260).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in Kentucky is projected to be $101,076, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288, representing a -4.0% difference. Salaries vary across the state, with the highest paying city being Louisville at $108,377, while Owensboro offers the lowest at $85,318, resulting in a salary gap of $23,059. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and availability of jobs in urban versus rural areas. Kentucky has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the profession. These regulations ensure that physical therapists meet essential standards for quality care, while the demand for healthcare services continues to rise, driven by an aging population and increased focus on rehabilitation. The job market for physical therapists in Kentucky is projected to maintain a steady growth rate of 2.46% annually, reflecting ongoing demand in various settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. With a total of 2,408 physical therapists employed statewide, opportunities are expected to remain strong as the need for physical therapy services evolves.
Kentucky Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $60,042 (lowest entry-level) to $147,332 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky physical therapists earn 4% less than the national median ($-4,212/year difference).
Kentucky Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Kentucky range from $74,836 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,441 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,076. The Kentucky median is $4,212 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $48.60/hr. Approximately 2,408 physical therapists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,539
2025 BLS Actual
$98,649
2026 Current Est.
$101,076
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,539 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,822 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,173 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,494 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,733 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,649 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,076 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,562 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 16.7% from $84,539 (2019) to $98,649 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,562 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,023 (22.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Owensboro | $85,318 |
| Murray | $92,975 |
| Bowling Green | $93,843 |
| Jeffersontown | $94,369 |
| Madisonville | $94,702 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $108,377 | 89.3 | $121,363 |
| Paducah | $101,774 | 86.084 | $118,226 |
| Elizabethtown | $106,845 | 90.572 | $117,967 |
| Ashland | $101,848 | 89.3 | $114,052 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $104,776 | 93.074 | $112,573 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,836 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,076 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $126,441 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $108,377 |
| 2 | Elizabethtown | $106,845 |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $104,776 |
| 4 | Ashland | $101,848 |
| 5 | Paducah | $101,774 |
| 6 | Independence | $98,619 |
| 7 | Florence | $98,503 |
| 8 | Covington | $98,087 |
| 9 | Nicholasville | $97,902 |
| 10 | Richmond | $97,879 |
| 11 | Frankfort | $97,377 |
| 12 | Henderson | $97,215 |
| 13 | Lexington | $97,040 |
| 14 | Hopkinsville | $96,868 |
| 15 | Radcliff | $95,389 |
| 16 | Georgetown | $95,055 |
| 17 | Madisonville | $94,702 |
| 18 | Jeffersontown | $94,369 |
| 19 | Bowling Green | $93,843 |
| 20 | Murray | $92,975 |
| 21 | Owensboro | $85,318 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Kentucky?
How many physical therapists are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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