PT Assistant Salary

Florence vs Louisville: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Florence, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, KY
$63,399
$30.48/hr
Louisville, KY
$69,754
$33.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$63,399$69,754
Hourly Rate$30.48$33.53
Entry Level (P10)$45,520$44,915
25th Percentile$55,742$57,960
75th Percentile$70,992$81,848
Top Earner (P90)$78,645$94,379
Total Employed7132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($63,399) and Louisville ($69,754) physical therapist assistant salaries.FlorenceLouisvilleMedian Salary$63,399$69,754Entry Level (P10)$45,520$44,915Top Earner (P90)$78,645$94,379US Median $70,247

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Louisville is $6,355 (10.02%). Louisville's median is -0.70% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $33,125,Louisville spans $49,464. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$45,520
P25$55,742
Median$63,399
P75$70,992
P90 (Top)$78,645
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$44,915
P25$57,960
Median$69,754
P75$81,848
P90 (Top)$94,379

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($78,112 effective) pays 10.02% more than Florence ($70,996 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $63,399
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $70,996
Louisville
Nominal: $69,754
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $78,112

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,754/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,379)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,112)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Florence grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Florence, KY

+12.5%

$54,863 (2024) → $61,714 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+12.5%

$60,362 (2024) → $67,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Florence or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $69,754/year, compared to Florence at $63,399/year — a difference of $6,355 (10.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Louisville?

Florence physical therapist assistants earn $30.48/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $33.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Louisville as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $70,996, Louisville = $78,112), job availability (7 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Florence vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $45,520 in Florence and $44,915 in Louisville. The Florence area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov