PT Assistant Salary

Cleveland vs Trotwood: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$66,569
$32.00/hr
Trotwood, OH
$61,305
$29.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHTrotwood, OH
Median Salary$66,569$61,305
Hourly Rate$32.00$29.47
Entry Level (P10)$57,929$48,076
25th Percentile$62,357$56,734
75th Percentile$77,859$69,483
Top Earner (P90)$85,677$76,554
Total Employed1,2806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($66,569) and Trotwood ($61,305) physical therapist assistant salaries.ClevelandTrotwoodMedian Salary$66,569$61,305Entry Level (P10)$57,929$48,076Top Earner (P90)$85,677$76,554US Median $70,247

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Trotwood is $5,264 (8.59%). 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,Trotwood spans $28,478. Trotwood 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
Trotwood
P10 (Entry)$48,076
P25$56,734
Median$61,305
P75$69,483
P90 (Top)$76,554

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($70,876 effective) pays 4.86% more than Trotwood ($67,591 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $66,569
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $70,876
Trotwood
Nominal: $61,305
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,591

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 Trotwood 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 Trotwood over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+6.8%

$60,680 (2019) → $64,800 (2025)

Trotwood, OH

+9.6%

$54,436 (2024) → $59,676 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,569/year, compared to Trotwood at $61,305/year — a difference of $5,264 (8.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Trotwood?

Cleveland physical therapist assistants earn $32.00/hr while Trotwood hygienists earn $29.47/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Trotwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $70,876, Trotwood = $67,591), job availability (1,280 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $57,929 in Cleveland and $48,076 in Trotwood. 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