PT Assistant Salary

Ann Arbor vs Romulus: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Ann Arbor, MI and Romulus, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ann Arbor, MI
$62,871
$30.22/hr
Romulus, MI
$58,041
$27.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnn Arbor, MIRomulus, MI
Median Salary$62,871$58,041
Hourly Rate$30.22$27.90
Entry Level (P10)$53,882$44,212
25th Percentile$62,871$52,719
75th Percentile$67,432$64,806
Top Earner (P90)$82,389$71,109
Total Employed2305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ann Arbor ($62,871) and Romulus ($58,041) physical therapist assistant salaries.Ann ArborRomulusMedian Salary$62,871$58,041Entry Level (P10)$53,882$44,212Top Earner (P90)$82,389$71,109US Median $70,247

Verdict

Ann Arbor, MI offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Romulus.

The salary gap between Ann Arbor and Romulus is $4,830 (8.32%). Ann Arbor's median is -10.50% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ann Arbor spans $28,507,Romulus spans $26,897. Ann Arbor has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ann Arbor
P10 (Entry)$53,882
P25$62,871
Median$62,871
P75$67,432
P90 (Top)$82,389
Romulus
P10 (Entry)$44,212
P25$52,719
Median$58,041
P75$64,806
P90 (Top)$71,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ann Arbor ($62,323 effective) pays 0.08% more than Romulus ($62,276 effective).

Ann Arbor
Nominal: $62,871
CoL Index: 100.88
Adjusted: $62,323
Romulus
Nominal: $58,041
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $62,276

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ann Arbor if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,871/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,389)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,323)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Romulus if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Ann Arbor grew 11.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.7% growth in Romulus over the same period.

Ann Arbor, MI

+11.1%

$55,110 (2019) → $61,200 (2025)

Romulus, MI

+5.7%

$53,437 (2024) → $56,499 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Ann Arbor or Romulus?

Ann Arbor has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $62,871/year, compared to Romulus at $58,041/year — a difference of $4,830 (8.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ann Arbor and Romulus?

Ann Arbor physical therapist assistants earn $30.22/hr while Romulus hygienists earn $27.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ann Arbor to Romulus as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ann Arbor and Romulus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ann Arbor = $62,323, Romulus = $62,276), job availability (230 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Ann Arbor vs Romulus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $53,882 in Ann Arbor and $44,212 in Romulus. The Ann Arbor area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov