Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $70,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $70,576/year (≈ $33.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $73,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.4% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Grand Rapids, MI, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $70,576, slightly above the national median of $70,247. This range spans from $51,848 at the 10th percentile to $81,444 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earnings potential within the market. This data stems from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the ongoing effects of recent changes in the healthcare landscape, such as the post-Medicare cut environment. The job market for physical therapist assistants in this area has been shaped significantly by shifts away from skilled nursing facilities toward outpatient settings, which now dominate the referral landscape and continue to influence salaries based on reimbursement structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,848 | $24.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,717 | $30.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,576 | $33.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,576 | $33.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,444 | $39.15 |
Median Salary Position
0.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,596 (2026 est.). At $70,576, the local median is 0.47% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Grand Rapids Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $70,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $62,790 | +12.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +0.47% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $70,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.47% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 12.40% above the Michigan state average of $62,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $70,576 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,866 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$53,340
2025 BLS Actual
$68,700
2026 Current Est.
$70,576
2019–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 28.8% from $53,340 (2019) to $68,700 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,162 (35.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $51,848 – $62,717 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,717 – $70,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,576 – $70,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,576 – $81,444 |
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 Grand Rapids
Currently, around 700 physical therapist assistants are employed in Grand Rapids, underscoring a robust local demand. With a cost of living index at 95.546, the purchasing power for PTAs is favorable compared to national averages. Salaries vary significantly, with outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies typically offering the highest pay, influenced by productivity expectations and reimbursement levels. The disparity in compensation often arises from the setting—hospitals typically pay more than outpatient clinics, with skilled nursing facilities facing tighter budgets due to the repercussions of the Medicare 15% cut. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Grand Rapids, professionals should consider targeting outpatient roles, pursuing advanced certifications, or exploring bridge programs towards a DPT to enhance their qualifications and earning potential.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Grand Rapids, MI in 2026?
Is Grand Rapids, MI a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Grand Rapids?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Grand Rapids?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Grand Rapids?
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
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 $68,700 for physical therapist assistantsin the Grand Rapids 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
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