PT Assistant Salary

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

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

Cincinnati, OH
$66,949
$32.19/hr
Shaker Heights, OH
$63,034
$30.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHShaker Heights, OH
Median Salary$66,949$63,034
Hourly Rate$32.19$30.31
Entry Level (P10)$52,464$47,531
25th Percentile$62,388$57,153
75th Percentile$79,451$69,933
Top Earner (P90)$90,279$80,779
Total Employed9307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($66,949) and Shaker Heights ($63,034) physical therapist assistant salaries.CincinnatiShaker HeightsMedian Salary$66,949$63,034Entry Level (P10)$52,464$47,531Top Earner (P90)$90,279$80,779US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Shaker Heights is $3,915 (6.21%). 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,Shaker Heights spans $33,248. 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
Shaker Heights
P10 (Entry)$47,531
P25$57,153
Median$63,034
P75$69,933
P90 (Top)$80,779

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($70,199 effective) pays 1.01% more than Shaker Heights ($69,497 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $66,949
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $70,199
Shaker Heights
Nominal: $63,034
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $69,497

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 Shaker 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 Shaker Heights over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+8.0%

$60,370 (2019) → $65,170 (2025)

Shaker Heights, OH

+9.6%

$55,972 (2024) → $61,359 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cincinnati has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,949/year, compared to Shaker Heights at $63,034/year — a difference of $3,915 (6.21%).

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

Cincinnati physical therapist assistants earn $32.19/hr while Shaker Heights hygienists earn $30.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Shaker Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $70,199, Shaker Heights = $69,497), job availability (930 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $52,464 in Cincinnati and $47,531 in Shaker 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