PT Assistant Salary

Bowling Green vs Cincinnati: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Bowling Green, OH and Cincinnati, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, OH
$64,956
$31.23/hr
Cincinnati, OH
$66,949
$32.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, OHCincinnati, OH
Median Salary$64,956$66,949
Hourly Rate$31.23$32.19
Entry Level (P10)$46,937$52,464
25th Percentile$57,333$62,388
75th Percentile$72,951$79,451
Top Earner (P90)$80,930$90,279
Total Employed7930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($64,956) and Cincinnati ($66,949) physical therapist assistant salaries.Bowling GreenCincinnatiMedian Salary$64,956$66,949Entry Level (P10)$46,937$52,464Top Earner (P90)$80,930$90,279US Median $70,247

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowling Green.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Cincinnati is $1,993 (3.07%). Cincinnati's median is -4.69% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $33,993,Cincinnati spans $37,815. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$46,937
P25$57,333
Median$64,956
P75$72,951
P90 (Top)$80,930
Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$52,464
P25$62,388
Median$66,949
P75$79,451
P90 (Top)$90,279

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bowling Green ($71,616 effective) pays 2.02% more than Cincinnati ($70,199 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $64,956
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $71,616
Cincinnati
Nominal: $66,949
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $70,199

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,616)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,949/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,279)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Bowling Green grew 9.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.0% growth in Cincinnati over the same period.

Bowling Green, OH

+9.6%

$57,678 (2024) → $63,230 (2025)

Cincinnati, OH

+8.0%

$60,370 (2019) → $65,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Bowling Green or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,949/year, compared to Bowling Green at $64,956/year — a difference of $1,993 (3.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Cincinnati?

Bowling Green physical therapist assistants earn $31.23/hr while Cincinnati hygienists earn $32.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Cincinnati as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Cincinnati. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $71,616, Cincinnati = $70,199), job availability (7 vs 930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Bowling Green vs Cincinnati?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $46,937 in Bowling Green and $52,464 in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati 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