Physical Therapist Salary in Frankfort, KY: $97,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Frankfort, KY earns a median $97,377/year (≈ $46.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Frankfort's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $109,045 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Frankfort, KY can expect a median annual salary of $97,377, which is notably lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession in the local market stretches from $73,298 at the 10th percentile to $128,609 at the 90th percentile. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living variables. The emergence of cash-pay specialty clinics in orthopedics and sports medicine may contribute to higher earnings for those able to attract clients willing to pay out-of-pocket, reflecting a shift that could position some practitioners at the upper end of the pay spectrum. The relatively small number of six employed physical therapists in the area indicates a tight job market, meaning competition for opportunities could be significant, impacting how much physical therapists make in Frankfort.
About the Frankfort Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,298 | $35.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,636 | $38.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,377 | $46.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,521 | $54.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,609 | $61.83 |
Median Salary Position
7.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Frankfort
In Frankfort, KY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,311 (2026 est.). At $97,377, the local median is 7.51% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Frankfort: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Frankfort Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Frankfort median: $97,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Frankfort Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $99,364 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.51% less |
Physical Therapists in Frankfort, KY earn a median of $97,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $99,364.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Frankfort has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Frankfort, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $97,377 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,045 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,720
2025 BLS Actual
$95,039
2026 Current Est.
$97,377
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,172 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,378 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,218 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,479 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,772 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Frankfort metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,720 (2019) to $95,039 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,772 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,052 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frankfort 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) | $73,298 – $80,636 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,636 – $97,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,377 – $112,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,521 – $128,609 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Frankfort
While the projected median salary provides a benchmark, understanding the local job market reveals greater nuance. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, living expenses in Frankfort are below the national average, affecting overall purchasing power. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico and Select Medical often drive the highest wages, albeit with varying productivity expectations. The spread between lower and higher salaries can hinge on factors like board certifications (e.g., OCS, SCS) and whether one operates in a cash-pay model versus traditional insurance reimbursements. Practitioners should focus on demonstrating value, exploring diversified revenue models, and possibly pursuing ownership opportunities within private clinics to maximize physical therapist pay in Frankfort, KY. For new graduates or transitioning therapists, enhancing open communication with prospective employers about productivity demands can also help navigate salary negotiations effectively.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Frankfort?
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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 $95,039 for physical therapistsin the Frankfort 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
Salary data for Frankfort 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