Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Westland, MI: $62,988 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Westland, MI earns a median $62,988/year (≈ $30.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Westland's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $67,584 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median physical therapist assistant salary in Westland, MI, is $62,988, reflecting a competitive market in a region where outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are navigating the complexities of post-Medicare cuts. The salary range extends from $43,078 at the 10th percentile to $79,564 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for significant earnings based on experience and work settings. These figures come from estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, incorporating local cost adjustments, which are necessary to contextualize earnings against the area's economic climate. With increasing demands for rehabilitation services across various settings, Westland's job market for physical therapist assistants appears poised for gradual growth amidst evolving care structures.
About the Westland Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,078 | $20.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,951 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,988 | $30.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,021 | $34.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,564 | $38.26 |
Median Salary Position
10.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westland
In Westland, MI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,486 (2026 est.). At $62,988, the local median is 10.33% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westland: You'd be above the median
How Westland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Westland median: $62,988/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $62,737 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.33% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Westland, MI earn a median of $62,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.33% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.40% above the Michigan state average of $62,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westland 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.
Westland, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,988 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,584 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,715
2025 BLS Actual
$61,314
2026 Current Est.
$62,988
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Westland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,715 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,594 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,858 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,991 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,314 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,988 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,715 (2019) to $61,314 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,992 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westland 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) | $43,078 – $53,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,951 – $62,988 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,988 – $71,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,021 – $79,564 |
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 Westland
Examining the local job market, there are currently 14 physical therapist assistants employed in Westland, Michigan, highlighting a relatively contained workforce in this field. The cost-of-living index at 93.2 suggests a below-average economic environment, enabling physical therapist assistants to maintain a decent standard of living though purchasing power may be less impacted than in other regions. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, particularly due to the reduced reimbursement rates from the Medicare 15% cut, which has particularly affected SNFs and outpatient settings. The variance in pay is driven by factors such as the setting's productivity expectations, weekend premiums, and administrative duties that might arise in inpatient rehab environments. For those seeking to optimize their pay in Westland, exploring opportunities in outpatient clinics while seeking advanced certifications could prove beneficial, especially for physical therapist assistants considering PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways as a means to elevate their professional standing and income potential.
More salary data for Westland, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,314 for physical therapist assistantsin the Westland 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 Westland 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