Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Southfield, MI: $62,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Southfield, MI earns a median $62,595/year (≈ $30.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Southfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $67,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Southfield, Michigan are expected to earn a median annual salary of $62,595, reflecting an ongoing adjustment in compensation trends following significant Medicare cuts. The full salary range stretches from $42,112 at the 10th percentile to $84,336 at the 90th percentile, indicating considerable variation based on experience, work setting, and other factors. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adapted for local cost of living determinants, which suggest a compensation framework consistent with the evolving healthcare landscape. The shift towards outpatient therapy and away from skilled nursing facilities post-Medicare cuts has reshaped the job market, impacting the available roles and salary structures for PTAs in Southfield.
About the Southfield Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,112 | $20.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,595 | $30.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,884 | $35.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,336 | $40.55 |
Median Salary Position
10.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southfield
In Southfield, MI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,224 (2026 est.). At $62,595, the local median is 10.89% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Southfield Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Southfield median: $62,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $62,784 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.89% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Southfield, MI earn a median of $62,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.89% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% below the Michigan state average of $62,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southfield 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.
Southfield, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,387
2025 BLS Actual
$60,932
2026 Current Est.
$62,595
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Southfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,516 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,933 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,629 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,932 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southfield metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,387 (2019) to $60,932 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,917 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southfield 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) | $42,112 – $53,140 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,140 – $62,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,595 – $73,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,884 – $84,336 |
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 Southfield
Currently, Southfield is home to 19 physical therapist assistants, making for a modest yet stable job market. With a cost of living index of 93.2, care professionals might find their take-home pay to ultimately stretch further than in many pricier regions. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most competitive salaries, often exceeding the average rates paid by skilled nursing facilities now facing budgetary cuts. This reflects the prevailing dynamics where hospital settings typically provide higher compensation than outpatient or nursing home environments. To maximize pay in Southfield’s market, aspiring PTAs should consider environments where service demand is high, such as pediatrics or specialized rehab, while also engaging in professional development opportunities that lead to PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, further enhancing their qualifications and salary potential.
More salary data for Southfield, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Southfield?
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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 $60,932 for physical therapist assistantsin the Southfield 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 Southfield 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