Physical Therapist salary in Kentucky
Physical Therapists in Kentucky earn a median of $100,710 a year ($48.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,920 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $102,760. Kentucky ranks 28th of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.7 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,190, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
| 25th percentile | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Median | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| 75th percentile | $114,820 | $55.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,920 | $61.02 |
| Average (mean) | $99,190 | $47.69 |
Half of physical therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,392.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,196.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,873.46 |
| Weekly | $1,936.73 |
| Hourly | $48.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $104,280 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,890 | 2,090 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $102,260 | 1,140 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $99,330 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $98,220 | 300 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $97,810 | 130 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $94,710 | 590 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $91,590 | 220 |
| Owensboro, KY | $83,270 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,730 | $119.58 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | $167.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $241,530 | $116.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Kentucky?
The median salary for physical therapists in Kentucky is $100,710 a year, or $48.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of physical therapists in Kentucky earn at least $126,920 a year. The top 25% earn $114,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,900 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $80,990 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Kentucky?
About 3,390 physical therapists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.