PT Assistant Salary

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

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

Cleveland Heights, OH
$62,034
$29.82/hr
Cleveland, OH
$66,569
$32.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland Heights, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$62,034$66,569
Hourly Rate$29.82$32.00
Entry Level (P10)$45,227$57,929
25th Percentile$55,049$62,357
75th Percentile$69,956$77,859
Top Earner (P90)$77,760$85,677
Total Employed91,280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland Heights ($62,034) and Cleveland ($66,569) physical therapist assistant salaries.Cleveland HeightsClevelandMedian Salary$62,034$66,569Entry Level (P10)$45,227$57,929Top Earner (P90)$77,760$85,677US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland Heights and Cleveland is $4,535 (7.31%). Cleveland's median is -5.24% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland Heights spans $32,533,Cleveland spans $27,748. Cleveland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland Heights
P10 (Entry)$45,227
P25$55,049
Median$62,034
P75$69,956
P90 (Top)$77,760
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$57,929
P25$62,357
Median$66,569
P75$77,859
P90 (Top)$85,677

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($70,876 effective) pays 3.63% more than Cleveland Heights ($68,395 effective).

Cleveland Heights
Nominal: $62,034
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,395
Cleveland
Nominal: $66,569
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $70,876

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland Heights if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,569/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,677)
  • Larger job market (1,280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,876)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Cleveland Heights grew 9.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.8% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Cleveland Heights, OH

+9.6%

$55,084 (2024) → $60,385 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+6.8%

$60,680 (2019) → $64,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,569/year, compared to Cleveland Heights at $62,034/year — a difference of $4,535 (7.31%).

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

Cleveland Heights physical therapist assistants earn $29.82/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $32.00/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland Heights and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland Heights = $68,395, Cleveland = $70,876), job availability (9 vs 1,280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $45,227 in Cleveland Heights and $57,929 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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