Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Norton Shores, MI: $64,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Norton Shores, MI earns a median $64,128/year (≈ $30.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Norton Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $68,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Norton Shores, MI, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $64,128 in 2026. This salary reflects the area’s productivity expectations, where the volume of visits per day impacts overall earnings and efficiency. While the salary range spans from $47,819 at the 10th percentile to $77,428 at the 90th percentile, these figures are influenced by local market conditions and cost adjustments from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Given this context, professionals in these roles should consider how work settings, like outpatient clinics or skilled nursing facilities, can substantially affect compensation opportunities. The job market for physical therapist assistants remains competitive in Norton Shores, where practitioners are pivotal in rehabilitation settings.
About the Norton Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,819 | $22.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,051 | $26.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,128 | $30.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,898 | $34.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,428 | $37.23 |
Median Salary Position
8.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norton Shores
In Norton Shores, MI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,609 (2026 est.). At $64,128, the local median is 8.71% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Norton Shores Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Norton Shores median: $64,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norton Shores Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $62,748 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.71% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Norton Shores, MI earn a median of $64,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.71% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% above the Michigan state average of $62,748.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norton Shores 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.
Norton Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,128 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,807 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,669
2025 BLS Actual
$62,424
2026 Current Est.
$64,128
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Norton Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,669 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,564 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,851 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,303 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,499 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,424 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norton Shores metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,669 (2019) to $62,424 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,210 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norton Shores 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) | $47,819 – $56,051 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,051 – $64,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,128 – $70,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,898 – $77,428 |
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 Norton Shores
With only four physical therapist assistants currently employed in Norton Shores, the job market exhibits both strength and some limitation. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 93.2, signifies a favorable economic environment for residents, allowing for better purchasing power with their earnings. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the best pay, while skilled nursing facilities might experience compressed wages due to the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for therapy services. Factors such as productivity demands and supervisory requirements also influence the salary spectrum. To maximize earning potential, aspiring PTAs should actively seek roles in outpatient settings or pursue additional qualifications, like bridging to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which could open doors to higher-paying positions in the future.
More salary data for Norton Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Norton Shores?
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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 $62,424 for physical therapist assistantsin the Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores 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