Physical Therapist Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Physical Therapists in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$100,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $102,760
State Rank
#28 of 51
3,390 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Kentucky?

A Physical Therapist working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $100,710 per year, or about $48.42 per hour. That is 2% below the national median of $102,760 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $73,900 while the top 10% make $126,920 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,990 and $114,820 a year.

Physical Therapist salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$73,900$35.53
25th percentile (early career)$80,990$38.94
50th percentile (median)$100,710$48.42
75th percentile (experienced)$114,820$55.20
90th percentile (top earners)$126,920$61.02

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 28th out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$124,190
2Alaska$115,280
3New Jersey$112,140
4Nevada$111,250
5Maryland$106,890

Working as a Physical Therapist in Kentucky

Nationally, about 267,000 people work as Physical Therapists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($100,710) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Kentucky?
The median Physical Therapist salary in Kentucky is $100,710 per year, or about $48.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $73,900 at the entry level to $126,920 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Physical Therapists about 2% less than the national median of $102,760. Kentucky ranks 28th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Physical Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $100,710 a year. About 3,390 Physical Therapists are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Physical Therapist salary report

Related salaries

Orthotists and Prosthetists

$81,110
median pay · 9,000 employed

Physician Assistant

$135,880
median pay · 162,000 employed

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$64,400
median pay · 648,000 employed

Occupational Therapist

$100,330
median pay · 162,000 employed

Optometrist

$136,570
median pay · 43,000 employed

Audiologist

$95,780
median pay · 14,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.