PT Assistant Salary

Cincinnati vs Cleveland Heights: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$66,949
$32.19/hr
Cleveland Heights, OH
$62,034
$29.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHCleveland Heights, OH
Median Salary$66,949$62,034
Hourly Rate$32.19$29.82
Entry Level (P10)$52,464$45,227
25th Percentile$62,388$55,049
75th Percentile$79,451$69,956
Top Earner (P90)$90,279$77,760
Total Employed9309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($66,949) and Cleveland Heights ($62,034) physical therapist assistant salaries.CincinnatiCleveland HeightsMedian Salary$66,949$62,034Entry Level (P10)$52,464$45,227Top Earner (P90)$90,279$77,760US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Cleveland Heights is $4,915 (7.92%). 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 Cincinnati spans $37,815,Cleveland Heights spans $32,533. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$52,464
P25$62,388
Median$66,949
P75$79,451
P90 (Top)$90,279
Cleveland Heights
P10 (Entry)$45,227
P25$55,049
Median$62,034
P75$69,956
P90 (Top)$77,760

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($70,199 effective) pays 2.64% more than Cleveland Heights ($68,395 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $66,949
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $70,199
Cleveland Heights
Nominal: $62,034
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,395

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,949/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,279)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,199)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland Heights if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Cincinnati grew 8.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Cleveland Heights over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+8.0%

$60,370 (2019) → $65,170 (2025)

Cleveland Heights, OH

+9.6%

$55,084 (2024) → $60,385 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Cincinnati or Cleveland Heights?

Cincinnati has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,949/year, compared to Cleveland Heights at $62,034/year — a difference of $4,915 (7.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Cleveland Heights?

Cincinnati physical therapist assistants earn $32.19/hr while Cleveland Heights hygienists earn $29.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Cleveland Heights as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Cleveland Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $70,199, Cleveland Heights = $68,395), job availability (930 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Cincinnati vs Cleveland Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $52,464 in Cincinnati and $45,227 in Cleveland Heights. 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