PT Assistant Salary

Cleveland vs Hilliard: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$66,569
$32.00/hr
Hilliard, OH
$61,876
$29.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHHilliard, OH
Median Salary$66,569$61,876
Hourly Rate$32.00$29.75
Entry Level (P10)$57,929$44,598
25th Percentile$62,357$53,348
75th Percentile$77,859$69,596
Top Earner (P90)$85,677$77,265
Total Employed1,2809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($66,569) and Hilliard ($61,876) physical therapist assistant salaries.ClevelandHilliardMedian Salary$66,569$61,876Entry Level (P10)$57,929$44,598Top Earner (P90)$85,677$77,265US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Hilliard is $4,693 (7.58%). 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 spans $27,748,Hilliard spans $32,667. Hilliard has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$57,929
P25$62,357
Median$66,569
P75$77,859
P90 (Top)$85,677
Hilliard
P10 (Entry)$44,598
P25$53,348
Median$61,876
P75$69,596
P90 (Top)$77,265

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($70,876 effective) pays 3.89% more than Hilliard ($68,221 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $66,569
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $70,876
Hilliard
Nominal: $61,876
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,221

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Hilliard if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Cleveland grew 6.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Hilliard over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+6.8%

$60,680 (2019) → $64,800 (2025)

Hilliard, OH

+9.6%

$54,944 (2024) → $60,232 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,569/year, compared to Hilliard at $61,876/year — a difference of $4,693 (7.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Hilliard?

Cleveland physical therapist assistants earn $32.00/hr while Hilliard hygienists earn $29.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Hilliard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $70,876, Hilliard = $68,221), job availability (1,280 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $57,929 in Cleveland and $44,598 in Hilliard. 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