Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Garden City, MI: $29.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Garden City, MI runs $29.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,014 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,603 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden City, Michigan, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $29.33, which is considerably lower than the national median of $33.77. This rate makes it important for those considering part-time employment or per-diem work to understand their earning potential. For example, a part-time physical therapist assistant working three days a week may bring home approximately $22,128 annually, which highlights the trade-offs of choosing flexible work arrangements. The hourly wage ranges from $20.09 at the lower end of the scale for entry-level positions to $38.05 for experienced professionals. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates and can vary widely based on practice settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and inpatient rehabilitation units.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.09 | $160.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.88 | $215.08 |
| Median (P50) | $29.33 | $234.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.93 | $271.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.05 | $304.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $29.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.33/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, MI can expect to earn approximately $61,005 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,195. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,173.18 | $5,084 | $61,005 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $703.91 | $3,050 | $36,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.27 | $2,034 | $24,402 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Garden City) | $29.33 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Garden City, MI earn a median of $61,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.14% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the Michigan state average of $62,772.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.33/hr = $36,603/year (purchasing power: $39,274).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,005/year (purchasing power: $65,456).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Garden City grew 16.3% from $24.55/hr (2019) to $28.55/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Garden City
Analyzing the earning potential for physical therapist assistants in Garden City reveals various dimensions of the job market. Part-time workers, such as those on a 24-hour workweek, might find their annual income significantly constrained compared to their full-time counterparts. For per-diem physical therapist assistant pay in Garden City, practitioners often bill between $32 and $48 per hour, while travel PTA contracts can command weekly earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. However, the impact of the 15% Medicare cut has affected PTA pay in facilities reliant on Medicare reimbursements, particularly skilled nursing facilities where premium pay has declined. Hourly rates are subject to variation based on the type of employer—outpatient orthopedic chains, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and pediatric clinics all offer different compensation structures. Some PTAs may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance benefits, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiation skills are essential in this landscape, especially to navigate the unique compensation dynamics in Garden City.
More salary data for Garden City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Garden City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Garden City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Garden City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Garden City?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Garden City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Garden City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Garden City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov