Physical Therapist Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $106,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $106,845/year (≈ $51.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $117,967 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapy professionals in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $106,845, which reflects a slight edge over the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in this area spans from $60,042 at the 10th percentile to $129,305 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market in terms of compensation. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting how local medical employment structures affect earnings, particularly the ongoing competition between outpatient clinics and hospital systems. While outpatient chains such as ATI may offer less stability and potentially lower pay, they might provide productivity bonuses that can enhance earnings. Conversely, hospitals typically present more consistent salaries albeit with varying benefit packages, creating a multifaceted landscape for physical therapist pay in Elizabethtown.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,042 | $28.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,200 | $39.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,845 | $51.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,936 | $57.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,305 | $62.16 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,263 (2026 est.). At $106,845, the local median is 1.48% above the national median of $105,288.
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How Elizabethtown Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $106,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $99,391 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.48% more |
Physical Therapists in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $106,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 7.50% above the Kentucky state average of $99,391.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 9.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.572 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,967 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,270
2025 BLS Actual
$104,280
2026 Current Est.
$106,845
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,474 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.9% from $86,270 (2019) to $104,280 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,474 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,204 (26.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $60,042 – $81,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,200 – $106,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,845 – $118,936 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,936 – $129,305 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Elizabethtown
The Elizabethtown job market shows strong potential, with approximately 80 physical therapists currently employed in the area. A lower-than-average cost of living index of 90.572 means that take-home salaries should afford a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. The highest paying employers tend to include hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs and outpatient orthopedic clinics offering specialized services, which may also provide additional financial incentives based on metrics such as productivity expectations and certification stipends. Factors contributing to salary variance include board specialization certifications, clinic ownership opportunities, and the growing trend of cash-pay versus insurance-based practice models. In this context, aspiring physical therapists in Elizabethtown can maximize their pay by focusing on high-demand areas, obtaining relevant certifications like OCS or SCS, and considering positions in settings that reward productivity or offer equity stakes.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Elizabethtown, KY in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Elizabethtown?
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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
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 $104,280 for physical therapistsin the Elizabethtown metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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, 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