Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Traverse City, MI: $30.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Traverse City, MI runs $30.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,963 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Traverse City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,783 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Traverse City, Michigan, physical therapist assistants can expect an hourly pay of $30.27, which falls below the national hourly median of $33.77. This rate can be quite advantageous for part-time employees working in typical settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and pediatric therapy sessions. For part-time practitioners working three days a week, this translates to approximately $24,000 annually, a figure that varies depending on the number of hours worked and the facilities’ pay scales. Hourly rates in the area range from $24.52 for entry-level positions (P10) to $38.27 for experienced professionals (P90), indicating a healthy earning potential for those who continue to build their skills and experience in this field. The official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projected to 2026, confirms these insights, offering a snapshot of what to expect for physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Traverse City.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.52 | $196.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.27 | $242.20 |
| Median (P50) | $30.27 | $242.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.86 | $286.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.27 | $306.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Traverse City
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 Traverse City, 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 93.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Traverse City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Traverse City
| 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 (Traverse City) | $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 Traverse City, MI earn a median of $62,963 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 $62,775.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.27/hr = $37,783/year (purchasing power: $40,465).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,971/year (purchasing power: $67,441).
CoL index: 93.372 (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 Traverse City (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 | $28.62/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 Traverse City 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 Traverse 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 Traverse City
Exploring the financial implications of working as a physical therapist assistant in Traverse City reveals key differences in income potential between part-time and full-time positions. A 3-day work week at 24 hours can lead to a take-home of around $24,000 annually, significantly less than the full-time equivalent for those opting for more hours or full-time employment. For professionals considering per diem roles, pay can vary widely, with per diem physical therapist assistants billing between $32 to $48 per hour, depending on the agency and contract terms. Those pursuing travel contracts can earn weekly pay between $1,200 and $1,800, providing flexibility but potentially lacking benefits typically offered in full-time roles. The hourly rates may fluctuate depending on the employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offering different compensation levels compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have been affected by the 15% Medicare cut since 2022. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for physical therapist assistants in Traverse City navigating their career pathways, including practical negotiation strategies for those seeking to maximize their earnings while balancing the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits.
More salary data for Traverse City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Traverse City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Traverse City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Traverse City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Traverse City?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Traverse 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 Traverse 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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