Therapy recruiting · Kentucky
Kentucky physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiters
APT Recruiting fills PT, OT, SLP and audiology roles for hospitals, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics and schools in Kentucky. Below is the current federal picture of the Kentucky therapy workforce, what it is paid, where it works and how licensing across state lines applies, the same numbers we use when we take a search.
Therapy workforce
Who practices in Kentucky today
3,289
Physical therapists
+ 963 PTAs
2,336
Occupational therapists
+ 717 OTAs
2,915
Speech-language pathologists
263
Audiologists
Per 100,000 residents, Kentucky has 71.4 physical therapists, 50.7 occupational therapists, 63.3 speech-language pathologists and 5.7 audiologists.
Over the last 12 months the registry added 150 physical therapists, 116 occupational therapists, 138 speech-language pathologists and 1 audiologists with a practice address in Kentucky, plus 59 PTAs and OTAs. Newly enumerated providers are mostly new graduates and clinicians relocating in, which is the pool every open seat in Kentucky is competing for.
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain).
Pay
What therapists earn in Kentucky
| Role | Employed | Mean annual wage | Median | National mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapists | 3,390 | $99,190 | $100,710 | $105,280 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 2,580 | $60,490 | $61,480 | $68,730 |
| Occupational therapists | 2,190 | $95,450 | $97,650 | $101,280 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | 500 | $65,360 | $65,230 | $70,710 |
| Speech-language pathologists | 2,610 | $89,180 | $83,550 | $98,170 |
| Audiologists | 90 | $94,660 | $92,520 | $97,740 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
Where therapists work
The employers in Kentucky
Therapy offices and clinics
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists.
6,523 employed across 793 establishments, employment down 1.1% year over year and the establishment count up 0.5%.
Average weekly wage $1,131, about $58,812 a year in sector payroll terms, down 0.9% year over year.
Home health
Home health care services.
9,794 employed across 513 establishments, employment up 7.7% year over year and the establishment count up 6.4%.
Average weekly wage $1,147, about $59,644 a year in sector payroll terms, up 1.2% year over year.
Nursing facilities
Skilled nursing and nursing care facilities.
27,057 employed across 376 establishments, employment up 5.0% year over year and the establishment count down 1.8%.
Average weekly wage $874, about $45,448 a year in sector payroll terms, up 3.7% year over year.
Hospitals
General medical and surgical hospitals.
84,159 employed across 312 establishments, employment up 1.3% year over year and the establishment count up 9.9%.
Average weekly wage $1,423, about $73,996 a year in sector payroll terms, up 4.9% year over year.
Source: BLS QCEW, statewide, private ownership, Q4 2024 vs Q4 2025.
Facilities
267 Medicare-certified nursing homes and 88 home health agencies in Kentucky.
Nursing homes
267 facilities with 25,400 certified beds. Average overall CMS star rating 3.0 of 5. 82.8% are for-profit. Every one of them bills therapy minutes, and every one of them is hiring PTs, OTs and SLPs in the same market you are.
Home health agencies
88 agencies, average quality-of-care star rating 3.5 of 5. 100% offer physical therapy, 93.1% occupational therapy and 85.1% speech therapy, so most are staffing at least one therapy discipline and many all three.
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (nursing homes 4pq5-n9py, home health 6jpm-sxkc), pulled 2026-10-15.
Tell us about the openingLicensure compacts
Hiring across state lines into Kentucky
Issuing privileges
Physical Therapy Compact
Kentucky is a PT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Kentucky without applying for a new state license.
All states on the PT Compact →Member, not yet issuing
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
Kentucky has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Kentucky license for now.
All states on the OT Compact →Member, not yet issuing
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
Kentucky has enacted the ASLP-IC but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed elsewhere still need a Kentucky license for now.
All states on the ASLP-IC →Source: ptcompact.org, otcompact.gov, aslpcompact.com, checked 2026-09-02.
For employers
Hiring in Kentucky? Physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiting, run by a clinician.
Engagement model
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
Speed to first candidates
Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Guarantee
Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Questions hiring managers and directors of rehab ask us
How does a therapy search with APT Recruiting work in Kentucky?+
It starts with a short call to take the brief: the discipline, the setting, the caseload and productivity expectations, the schedule and the pay range. Because APT is run by a licensed speech-language pathologist, the screen covers clinical fit, not just a license check. We then work the Kentucky market for PTs, OTs, SLPs or audiologists who match, confirm interest, and send you candidates who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization. Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Do you work on contingency or retained?+
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
What does it cost to hire through a therapy recruiter?+
Agreed in writing before you see a candidate's details. Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Which roles and settings do you cover?+
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including PTAs, COTAs and SLPAs, plus directors of rehab and other therapy leadership. Settings in Kentucky include hospitals and acute rehab, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics, schools and pediatrics, and telehealth. We also recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Or email molly@aptrecruiting.com. Molly reads every brief herself.
Reviewed by a licensed SLP
Molly Salinas, M.S., CCC-SLP
The Kentucky figures on this page are drawn from public federal sources and reviewed by Molly, a licensed speech-language pathologist who has worked across healthcare settings and founded APT Recruiting. She has recruited therapists for 3 years and works from Austin, Texas. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Metros
Therapy recruiting by metro in Kentucky
Hiring in Kentucky?
Tell us the discipline, the setting and the pay range. We will give you an honest read on the market before the search starts.