90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Louisville, KY
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Louisville: $91K Median

Physical Therapists in Louisville, KY earn between $68K and $118K per year.

That's -9% below the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Louisville, KY is $90,736 per year — -9% below the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $118,300 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Louisville earned approximately $13,748 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$90,736
+560.0% YoY · $7,561/mo
Entry
$70,980
0–2 years
Experienced
$104,650
5+ years
Top 10%
$118,300
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Louisville vs Nearby
Louisville
$91K
Indianapolis
$93K
-2% vs Louisville
Detroit
$93K
-2% vs Louisville
Cleveland
$92K
-1% vs Louisville

Free ATS scan · Louisville employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Louisville

Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through evidence-based treatment plans, manual therapy, and exercise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient evaluation
  • Treatment planning
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise prescription
  • Documentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

In-demand certifications

DPTOCS (Orthopedic Specialist)SCS (Sports)NCS (Neurologic)

Louisville Job Market

Healthcare and logistics hub with affordable cost of living.

Population
630K
Cost of Living
89
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$235K

Top Industries in Louisville

Healthcare (Humana)Logistics (UPS)Manufacturing (Ford)Bourbon

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Louisville or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Outpatient clinics
Sports medicine practices
Home health agencies
Schools

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physical Therapist listings.

Telehealth PTSports medicinePelvic healthManual therapy specialtyDirect access

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DPTmanual therapypatient evaluationorthopedicsports rehabilitationEMR (WebPT)evidence-based practice
Career Outlook
+14% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population.

Physical Therapist Salary Breakdown — Louisville

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$68,250$90,736$118,300
Monthly$5,688$7,561$9,858
Weekly$1,313$1,745$2,275
Hourly$33$44$57

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier (0.91×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Louisville

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$66,278.304
Per month$5,523
Biweekly paycheck$2,549
Effective tax rate27.0%

Tax Breakdown on $90,736

Gross salary$90,736
Federal income tax−$11,663.92
Kentucky state tax−$3,629.44
Louisville local tax−$2,223.032
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,941.304
Take-home (net)$66,278.304

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physical Therapist Salary by Experience — Louisville

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Louisville.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,302
2–3 yr$70,980
4–6 yr$87,815
7–10 yr$104,650
11–15 yr$123,487
15+ yr$111,475

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Louisville's 0.91× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$13,748
2026 median:$90,736
Change:+$76,988

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth PT and Sports medicine.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$101,951
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Louisville

Walk-away anchor: $82,487 (offers below this are below market for Louisville).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $105K–$118K for experienced roles, citing Louisville market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Louisville

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Louisville, KY?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Louisville is $90,736 per year as of April 2026 — $7,561/month, $1,745/week, or about $44/hour. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $118,300 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier (0.91×).
Is $90,736 a good Physical Therapist salary in Louisville?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Louisville's cost-of-living index is 89 (vs 100 nationally), giving $90,736 a real purchasing power of approximately $101,951 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $90,736 in Louisville?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Louisville specifically (median home price $235,000), a $90,736 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $90,736 enough for a single person in Louisville?
A single adult in Louisville typically needs ~$40,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $90,736 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $90,736 enough for a couple in Louisville?
A couple (one earner) in Louisville typically needs ~$64,080 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $90,736 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $90,736 each ($181,472 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $90,736 enough for a family of 4 in Louisville?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Louisville typically needs ~$97,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $90,736 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Louisville. Childcare costs in Louisville typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Louisville?
On a $90,736 Physical Therapist salary in Louisville, KY, you take home approximately $66,278.304 per year ($5,523/month, $2,549 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,663.92, state $3,629.44, local $2,223.032, FICA $6,941.304. Effective tax rate: 27.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Louisville earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Louisville earn approximately 9% less than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $90,736 in Louisville). However, Louisville's cost-of-living index of 89 means real purchasing power is approximately $101,951 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Louisville?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Louisville typically start at around $70,980 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $104,650 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $118,300+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Louisville increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Louisville grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,748 in 2025 to $90,736 in 2026 (+$76,988). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth PT and Sports medicine demand.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Louisville?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Louisville's top industries include Healthcare (Humana), Logistics (UPS), Manufacturing (Ford), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Physical Therapists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physical Therapists are: Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health, Manual therapy specialty, Direct access. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Louisville.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Louisville?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Louisville include: Hospital systems, Outpatient clinics, Sports medicine practices, Home health agencies, Schools. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physical Therapist salary in Louisville?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary in Louisville?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DPT or OCS (Orthopedic Specialist)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physical Therapist in Louisville?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Louisville's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physical Therapist salary figures for Louisville are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.91× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Louisville

Occupational Therapist →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$93KJacksonville, FL$92KIndianapolis, IN$93KDetroit, MI$93KMemphis, TN$88KOklahoma City, OK$88KLas Vegas, NV$95KMilwaukee, WI$95K

Land a $91K+ Physical Therapist Role in Louisville

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Healthcare roles