Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Portage, MI: $30.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Portage, MI runs $30.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,962 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Portage's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,783 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portage, Michigan, the anticipated median hourly pay for physical therapist assistants is $30.27 as of 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $33.77. For PTAs working in various clinical settings, this hourly rate translates into an annualized earning potential that accommodates both full-time and part-time schedules. For instance, a part-time PTA working three days a week typically takes home around $23,000 annually before taxes, adjusting their lifestyle around these earnings. The hourly rate in Portage ranges significantly with entry-level professionals earning about $21.90, while the most experienced PTAs can earn as much as $38.75 per hour. These figures provide a practical insight into what aspiring PTAs might expect as they enter the labor market, especially in environments such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services.
About the Portage 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) | $21.90 | $175.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.74 | $213.92 |
| Median (P50) | $30.27 | $242.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.71 | $277.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.75 | $310.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portage
Based on $30.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.27/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portage, MI can expect to earn approximately $62,971 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,329. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,210.98 | $5,248 | $62,971 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $726.59 | $3,149 | $37,783 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.39 | $2,099 | $25,188 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Portage) | $30.27 |
| 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 Portage, MI earn a median of $62,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.37% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% above the Michigan state average of $62,774.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.27/hr = $37,783/year (purchasing power: $40,539).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,971/year (purchasing power: $67,565).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Portage grew 16.3% from $25.34/hr (2019) to $29.47/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.10/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 Portage 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 Portage
While part-time positions offer flexibility, they yield a lower annual income compared to full-time roles, which generally command better financial stability. For instance, physical therapist assistants may encounter per diem opportunities where compensation is markedly higher, typically ranging from $32 to $48 per hour. This shift can be beneficial; however, it often comes with fewer benefits, which are sometimes essential for workers. In Portage, variations in hourly rates can exist based on employer type, with outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities frequently offering competitive rates influenced by Medicare reimbursement policies. Since the 15% Medicare cut on PTA-provided services took effect, many PTAs have sought agency work or per diem positions to buffer against these changes. When negotiating salaries, PTAs in the region might focus on the overall compensation package, weighing hourly wages against benefits for a comprehensive understanding of their work's value.
More salary data for Portage, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Portage in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Portage?
Are physical therapist assistants in Portage paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Portage?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Portage?
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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 Portage. 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 Portage 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