Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Michigan: $64,614 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Michigan's 52 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $64,614/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Michigan sits at BEA RPP 93.2 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,328 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wyoming ($69,549), Grand Rapids ($68,700), Kentwood ($67,483).
In Michigan, the projected average median salary for physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in 2026 is $64,614, which is approximately 8.0% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary disparity among cities is significant, with the highest-paying city, Wyoming, at $71,448, and the lowest, Romulus, at $58,041, reflecting a variance of $13,407. This difference can be attributed to factors such as regional demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and availability of physical therapy facilities. Michigan has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence earning potential. The demand for PTAs is supported by an aging population and an emphasis on rehabilitation, contributing to a healthy job market. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.73% for this occupation, the job outlook remains positive, signaling a steady need for PTAs across various settings. Among the top cities for salaries in Michigan for 2026 are Grand Rapids at $70,576, Kentwood at $69,325, and Battle Creek at $68,120, while Clinton Township follows with $64,895. This data indicates market variability influenced by local economic conditions and healthcare demands. Overall, pursuing a career as a PTA in Michigan presents a solid opportunity, notwithstanding the salary gap compared to national averages.
Michigan Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Michigan: $30,028 (lowest entry-level) to $116,814 (highest top earner)
Michigan vs National Average
Michigan physical therapist assistants earn 8.02% less than the national median ($-5,633/year difference).
Michigan Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Michigan range from $39,762 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,611 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,614. The Michigan median is $5,633 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $31.07/hr. Approximately 4,163 physical therapist assistants are employed across 52 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,228
2025 BLS Actual
$62,897
2026 Current Est.
$64,614
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Michigan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,228 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,301 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,897 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,614 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Michigan metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.0% from $54,228 (2019) to $62,897 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,150 (22.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Michigan 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Michigan
Lowest Paying Cities in Michigan
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Romulus | $58,041 |
| Ypsilanti | $58,376 |
| Mount Pleasant | $58,547 |
| Ferndale | $59,561 |
| Holland | $59,977 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Michigan
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Michigan cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $71,448 | 93.2 | $76,661 |
| Battle Creek | $68,120 | 90.541 | $75,237 |
| Kentwood | $69,325 | 93.2 | $74,383 |
| Grand Rapids | $70,576 | 95.546 | $73,866 |
| Clinton Township | $64,895 | 93.2 | $69,630 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Michigan
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,762 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,614 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,611 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Michigan metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 52 Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $71,448 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | $70,576 |
| 3 | Kentwood | $69,325 |
| 4 | Battle Creek | $68,120 |
| 5 | Clinton Township | $64,895 |
| 6 | Kalamazoo | $64,576 |
| 7 | Norton Shores | $64,128 |
| 8 | Sterling Heights | $64,078 |
| 9 | Detroit | $63,919 |
| 10 | Dearborn | $63,589 |
| 11 | West Bloomfield | $63,431 |
| 12 | Warren | $63,364 |
| 13 | Shelby Township | $63,286 |
| 14 | Troy | $63,152 |
| 15 | Westland | $62,988 |
| 16 | Traverse City | $62,963 |
| 17 | Portage | $62,962 |
| 18 | Ann Arbor | $62,871 |
| 19 | Farmington Hills | $62,853 |
| 20 | Dearborn Heights | $62,715 |
| 21 | Jackson | $62,655 |
| 22 | Muskegon | $62,604 |
| 23 | Southfield | $62,595 |
| 24 | Macomb Township | $62,461 |
| 25 | Lansing | $62,398 |
| 26 | St. Clair Shores | $62,391 |
| 27 | Rochester Hills | $62,356 |
| 28 | Taylor | $62,182 |
| 29 | Port Huron | $62,008 |
| 30 | Royal Oak | $61,993 |
| 31 | Lincoln Park | $61,949 |
| 32 | East Lansing | $61,871 |
| 33 | Livonia | $61,825 |
| 34 | Saginaw | $61,689 |
| 35 | Canton | $61,363 |
| 36 | Novi | $61,342 |
| 37 | Auburn Hills | $61,282 |
| 38 | Waterford | $61,248 |
| 39 | Roseville | $61,136 |
| 40 | Garden City | $61,014 |
| 41 | Flint | $60,826 |
| 42 | Allen Park | $60,649 |
| 43 | Pontiac | $60,607 |
| 44 | Bay City | $60,580 |
| 45 | Marquette | $60,448 |
| 46 | Inkster | $60,354 |
| 47 | Midland | $60,000 |
| 48 | Holland | $59,977 |
| 49 | Ferndale | $59,561 |
| 50 | Mount Pleasant | $58,547 |
| 51 | Ypsilanti | $58,376 |
| 52 | Romulus | $58,041 |
More Michigan Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Michigan cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Compare Cities in Michigan
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Michigan in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Michigan?
How does Michigan physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Michigan?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Michigan?
Which Michigan city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Michigan. State averages are employment-weighted across 52 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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