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Physical Therapist Assistant in Kentucky: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Kentucky employs 2,580 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $61,480 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kentucky licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Kentucky (May 2025)

Kentucky median pay: $61,480 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $27,870
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,800
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,500
Employed in Kentucky: 2,580
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Kentucky markets:

Cincinnati: $65,170 (930 employed)
Bowling Green: $62,740 (130 employed)
Lexington: $62,730 (310 employed)
Louisville/Jefferson County: $61,830 (750 employed)
Huntington: $59,930 (280 employed)
Clarksville: $59,160 (100 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kentucky

Prices in Kentucky run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,480 median stretches to roughly $68,160 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kentucky (2024–2034)

Kentucky is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +10.9%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 410 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kentucky License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply to the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.

Official requirements: Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy →

Training in Kentucky

A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kentucky include:

ATA College — Associate
American National University-Louisville — Associate
Beckfield College-Florence — Associate
Bluegrass Community and Technical College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Kentucky

Real Kentucky outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Heartland Rehabilitation Services — Alexandria
Premier Therapy & Health Centers, Inc — Ashland
Pt Pros, Inc — Barbourville
Kort Bardstown — Bardstown
Heartland Rehabilitation Services — Berea
Bluegrass Outpatient Center — Bowling Green

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Kentucky?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Kentucky is $61,480 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $27,870, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,500. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Kentucky?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Kentucky?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Kentucky metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Kentucky metro areas, Cincinnati leads at $65,170, followed by Bowling Green ($62,740), Lexington ($62,730). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Kentucky?

Real Kentucky options include ATA College, American National University-Louisville, Beckfield College-Florence. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Kentucky?

Kentucky projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +10.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 410 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Kentucky statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Kentucky wages · Kentucky licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.