Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Auburn Hills, MI: $61,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Auburn Hills, MI earns a median $61,282/year (≈ $29.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Auburn Hills's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $65,753 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Auburn Hills, Michigan, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,282, which is notably lower than the national median of $70,247. Following the Medicare cuts that occurred in 2022, the job market in this region has witnessed significant structural shifts, particularly affecting settings such as outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities. Local estimates suggest salaries can range from $42,487 at the lower end (P10) to $80,185 at the upper end (P90). These figures reflect regional cost adjustments and the ongoing impacts of reimbursement challenges that continue to influence pay, particularly in settings reliant on Medicare funding. As Auburn Hills evolves in terms of healthcare provision, it remains crucial for prospective PTAs to be aware of the salary landscape as they enter this field.
About the Auburn Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,487 | $20.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,763 | $25.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,282 | $29.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,159 | $34.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,185 | $38.55 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn Hills
In Auburn Hills, MI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,698 (2026 est.). At $61,282, the local median is 12.76% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn Hills: You'd be above the median
How Auburn Hills Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Auburn Hills median: $61,282/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $62,788 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.76% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Auburn Hills, MI earn a median of $61,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $62,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn Hills has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn Hills, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,282 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,753 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,287
2025 BLS Actual
$59,653
2026 Current Est.
$61,282
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Auburn Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,287 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,372 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,653 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,955 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn Hills metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,287 (2019) to $59,653 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,955 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,668 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn Hills 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,487 – $52,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,763 – $61,282 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,282 – $71,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,159 – $80,185 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Auburn Hills
The local employment scenario features a compact workforce, with only four physical therapist assistants actively working in the area. The cost of living index in Auburn Hills is at 93.2, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living. This dialed-down cost provides an advantageous context for PTAs in terms of purchasing power. While outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains, often offer competitive salaries, skilled nursing facilities may present lower pay due to the impact of past Medicare cuts. Variations in pay arise from factors like productivity expectations, employer benefits, and the demand for PTAs in diverse settings, such as home health agencies and pediatric clinics. To maximize earning potential, PTAs may consider seeking positions in hospital inpatient rehab environments, which generally offer higher wages, or exploring additional certifications that could enhance their qualifications and pay structure in the Auburn Hills market.
More salary data for Auburn Hills, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Auburn Hills, MI in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Auburn Hills?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Auburn Hills?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,653 for physical therapist assistantsin the Auburn Hills metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn Hills 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