PT Assistant Salary

Cincinnati vs Hamilton: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$66,949
$32.19/hr
Hamilton, OH
$65,399
$31.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHHamilton, OH
Median Salary$66,949$65,399
Hourly Rate$32.19$31.45
Entry Level (P10)$52,464$44,325
25th Percentile$62,388$55,765
75th Percentile$79,451$73,533
Top Earner (P90)$90,279$88,553
Total Employed93011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($66,949) and Hamilton ($65,399) physical therapist assistant salaries.CincinnatiHamiltonMedian Salary$66,949$65,399Entry Level (P10)$52,464$44,325Top Earner (P90)$90,279$88,553US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Hamilton is $1,550 (2.37%). 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,Hamilton spans $44,228. Hamilton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$52,464
P25$62,388
Median$66,949
P75$79,451
P90 (Top)$90,279
Hamilton
P10 (Entry)$44,325
P25$55,765
Median$65,399
P75$73,533
P90 (Top)$88,553

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hamilton ($72,105 effective) pays 2.71% more than Cincinnati ($70,199 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $66,949
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $70,199
Hamilton
Nominal: $65,399
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $72,105

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)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Hamilton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,105)
  • 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 Hamilton over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+8.0%

$60,370 (2019) → $65,170 (2025)

Hamilton, OH

+9.6%

$58,072 (2024) → $63,661 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Cincinnati or Hamilton?

Cincinnati has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,949/year, compared to Hamilton at $65,399/year — a difference of $1,550 (2.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Hamilton?

Cincinnati physical therapist assistants earn $32.19/hr while Hamilton hygienists earn $31.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Hamilton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $70,199, Hamilton = $72,105), job availability (930 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $52,464 in Cincinnati and $44,325 in Hamilton. 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