Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Florence, KY: $30.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Florence, KY runs $30.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,399 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Florence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,039 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Florence, Kentucky, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $30.48, which falls below the national hourly median of $33.77. This difference in hourly pay can significantly impact part-time workers in the field, such as those working three days a week in settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or pediatric therapy environments. Entry-level positions may start at approximately $21.88 per hour, while more experienced therapists can earn as much as $37.81 per hour. All these figures are based on estimates derived from annual salary data, which highlights the need for potential PTAs to carefully evaluate work settings and their alignment with personal financial goals.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.88 | $175.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.80 | $214.42 |
| Median (P50) | $30.48 | $243.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.13 | $273.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.81 | $302.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Florence
Based on $30.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.48/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Florence, KY can expect to earn approximately $63,398 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,576. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Florence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Florence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,219.20 | $5,283 | $63,398 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $731.52 | $3,170 | $38,039 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $487.68 | $2,113 | $25,359 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Florence) | $30.48 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Florence, KY earn a median of $63,399 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $63,975.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.48/hr = $38,039/year (purchasing power: $42,597).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,398/year (purchasing power: $70,995).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Florence grew 16.3% from $25.51/hr (2019) to $29.67/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.31/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Florence
Exploring the financial outlook, a physical therapist assistant working part-time, for example, could feasibly expect to earn around $39,800 annually for 24 hours a week, which is substantially less than those in full-time positions. Many PTAs choose per-diem roles, which typically pay between $32 and $48 per hour, allowing for flexibility while meeting varying patient needs. However, such arrangements can be less predictable, with agency work offering higher weekly pay—typically between $1,200 and $1,800 for travel contracts. Despite the drop in skilled nursing facility pay due to the 15% Medicare cut in 2022, hourly wages can differ widely across job types in Florence. Those in outpatient orthopedic clinics may find more stable employment with fringe benefits, while others might accept lower hourly rates for essential health insurance. Effective negotiation is crucial; stressing experience, specialty skills, and flexibility can potentially lead to better hourly compensation in the competitive Florence market.
More salary data for Florence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Florence in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Florence?
Are physical therapist assistants in Florence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Florence?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Florence?
Related Pages
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Career Resources
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Florence. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Florence 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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov