Physical Therapist Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $104,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $104,776/year (≈ $50.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $112,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist in Louisville/Jefferson County can anticipate a median annual salary of $104,776, a figure that slightly trails behind the national average of $105,288. This compensation showcases a salary range stretching from $79,714 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $125,134 at the upper end (90th percentile), based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The differences in pay can primarily be attributed to the type of employer, with outpatient clinics often offering less stability and lower base pay compared to hospital systems or skilled nursing facilities, which typically compensate higher—but with varying productivity expectations. Therefore, mentalities around which sector to enter can greatly influence financial outcomes in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,714 | $38.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,089 | $40.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,776 | $50.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,540 | $57.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,134 | $60.16 |
Median Salary Position
0.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,420 (2026 est.). At $104,776, the local median is 0.49% below the national median of $105,288.
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How Louisville/Jefferson County Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $104,776/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $99,408 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.49% less |
Physical Therapists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $104,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.40% above the Kentucky state average of $99,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,776 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,573 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,430
2025 BLS Actual
$102,260
2026 Current Est.
$104,776
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 22.6% from $83,430 (2019) to $102,260 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,923 (28.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville/Jefferson County 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) | $79,714 – $84,089 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,089 – $104,776 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,776 – $119,540 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,540 – $125,134 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Louisville/Jefferson County
As of 2026, Louisville/Jefferson County employs approximately 1,140 physical therapists, indicating a stable job market for the profession. The local cost of living index stands at 93.074, making the purchasing power of a therapist’s salary relatively strong compared to the national average. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and outpatient orthopedic chains often pay more, particularly when productivity bonuses are considered. Factors like board certification stipends for OCS or SCS, opportunities in cash-pay vs. insurance practices, and clinic ownership equity play significant roles in determining therapist pay. To optimize earnings in this market, seeking positions in high-volume clinics, pursuing relevant certifications, and considering less traditional practice models like cash-pay clinics can be advantageous strategies for physical therapists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY in 2026?
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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 $102,260 for physical therapistsin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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