Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in St. Clair Shores, MI: $62,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in St. Clair Shores, MI earns a median $62,391/year (≈ $30.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in St. Clair Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $66,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Clair Shores, MI, physical therapist assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,391 in 2026, a figure that reflects the local economic conditions and is approximately 11.18% below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $44,626 and the upper 90% making up to $83,851. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, taking into account regional price parities that influence compensation. Given the compact nature of the job market, where currently 13 physical therapist assistants are employed, it's vital for local professionals to understand how visit frequency and the intensity of care can significantly affect their earning potential.
About the St. Clair Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,626 | $21.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,099 | $26.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,391 | $30.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,373 | $35.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,851 | $40.31 |
Median Salary Position
11.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Clair Shores
In St. Clair Shores, MI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,225 (2026 est.). At $62,391, the local median is 11.18% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Clair Shores: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Clair Shores Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
St. Clair Shores median: $62,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Clair Shores Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $62,768 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.18% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $62,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $62,768.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Clair 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.
St. Clair Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,943 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,215
2025 BLS Actual
$60,733
2026 Current Est.
$62,391
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Clair Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,914 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,733 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,094 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Clair Shores metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,215 (2019) to $60,733 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,094 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,879 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Clair 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) | $44,626 – $55,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,099 – $62,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,391 – $73,373 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,373 – $83,851 |
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 St. Clair Shores
Analyzing the local employment scenario shows that while physical therapist assistant pay in St. Clair Shores reflects some limitations due to the area's cost of living index of 93.2, individuals working at outpatient orthopedic clinics or skilled nursing facilities often see the highest wages. Given the competitive environment, understanding the productivity expectations and the impact of recent Medicare cuts, especially the 15% reduction in reimbursement for PTA-provided services, is crucial for maximizing income within these settings. Strategies such as pursuing employment in preferred outpatient clinics, exploring PRN opportunities, and considering specialization can enhance earning prospects. Additionally, engaging in PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways could open up higher-paying roles in rehabilitation settings, ultimately leading to better financial outcomes for physical therapist assistants in the St. Clair Shores area.
More salary data for St. Clair Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in St. Clair Shores, MI in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in St. Clair Shores?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in St. Clair 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 $60,733 for physical therapist assistantsin the St. Clair 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 St. Clair 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