Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ohio: $66,529 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $66,529/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,351 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbus ($69,480), Cincinnati ($65,170), Beavercreek ($65,031).
As you evaluate salary expectations for physical therapist assistants in Ohio in 2026, it's helpful to note that the average median salary is projected at $66,529, which is approximately 5.3% lower than the national median of $70,247. The highest-paying city in the state is Columbus, where salaries are projected to reach $71,377, while the lowest is Solon, at $60,081. This $11,296 salary gap can largely be attributed to varying levels of demand, cost of living differences, and local healthcare market conditions. In Ohio, physical therapist assistants must adhere to state licensing requirements and practice within established scope of practice laws, which can influence job opportunities and salary levels. The overall employment outlook for this profession remains positive, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, indicating a steady demand for qualified professionals. In addition to Columbus, other cities like Cincinnati ($66,949), Beavercreek ($66,806), Dayton ($66,703), and Springfield ($66,631) offer competitive salaries that are close to the state average. As you consider a career in this field, being aware of local market conditions and the factors affecting salaries will aid in making informed decisions about job opportunities in Ohio.
Ohio Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $40,887 (lowest entry-level) to $98,878 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio physical therapist assistants earn 5.29% less than the national median ($-3,718/year difference).
Ohio Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Ohio range from $54,178 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,765 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,529. The Ohio median is $3,718 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $31.99/hr. Approximately 6,177 physical therapist assistants are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,265
2025 BLS Actual
$64,761
2026 Current Est.
$66,529
2019–2027 Growth
+15.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,836 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,247 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,761 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,529 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,346 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 9.3% from $59,265 (2019) to $64,761 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,346 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,081 (15.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Solon | $60,081 |
| Centerville | $60,091 |
| Avon Lake | $60,223 |
| Wadsworth | $60,268 |
| Tiffin | $60,317 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $71,377 | 95.469 | $74,765 |
| Beavercreek | $66,806 | 90.7 | $73,656 |
| Springfield | $66,631 | 90.482 | $73,640 |
| Canton | $65,562 | 89.406 | $73,331 |
| Lorain | $66,078 | 90.7 | $72,853 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,178 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,529 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,765 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $71,377 |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $66,949 |
| 3 | Beavercreek | $66,806 |
| 4 | Dayton | $66,703 |
| 5 | Springfield | $66,631 |
| 6 | Cleveland | $66,569 |
| 7 | Lorain | $66,078 |
| 8 | Parma | $65,896 |
| 9 | Kettering | $65,804 |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Falls | $65,627 |
| 11 | Canton | $65,562 |
| 12 | Hamilton | $65,399 |
| 13 | Toledo | $65,182 |
| 14 | Lakewood | $65,042 |
| 15 | Bowling Green | $64,956 |
| 16 | Lancaster | $64,936 |
| 17 | Zanesville | $64,930 |
| 18 | Westlake | $64,819 |
| 19 | Middletown | $64,794 |
| 20 | Akron | $64,771 |
| 21 | Massillon | $64,674 |
| 22 | Grove City | $64,606 |
| 23 | Delaware | $64,555 |
| 24 | Gahanna | $64,545 |
| 25 | Westerville | $64,504 |
| 26 | Huber Heights | $64,352 |
| 27 | North Ridgeville | $64,302 |
| 28 | North Royalton | $64,210 |
| 29 | North Olmsted | $63,981 |
| 30 | Reynoldsburg | $63,870 |
| 31 | Strongsville | $63,657 |
| 32 | Brunswick | $63,261 |
| 33 | Wooster | $63,261 |
| 34 | Elyria | $63,163 |
| 35 | Shaker Heights | $63,034 |
| 36 | Medina | $62,993 |
| 37 | Dublin | $62,790 |
| 38 | Fairfield | $62,784 |
| 39 | Mentor | $62,719 |
| 40 | Mansfield | $62,604 |
| 41 | Mason | $62,444 |
| 42 | Avon | $62,366 |
| 43 | Marion | $62,272 |
| 44 | Stow | $62,267 |
| 45 | Sandusky | $62,265 |
| 46 | Newark | $62,232 |
| 47 | Findlay | $62,166 |
| 48 | Lima | $62,069 |
| 49 | Green | $62,069 |
| 50 | Barberton | $62,069 |
| 51 | Austintown | $62,044 |
| 52 | Cleveland Heights | $62,034 |
| 53 | Upper Arlington | $61,952 |
| 54 | Xenia | $61,952 |
| 55 | Hilliard | $61,876 |
| 56 | Oxford | $61,683 |
| 57 | Warren | $61,613 |
| 58 | Chillicothe | $61,551 |
| 59 | Youngstown | $61,463 |
| 60 | Perrysburg | $61,325 |
| 61 | Trotwood | $61,305 |
| 62 | Athens | $60,656 |
| 63 | Tiffin | $60,317 |
| 64 | Wadsworth | $60,268 |
| 65 | Avon Lake | $60,223 |
| 66 | Centerville | $60,091 |
| 67 | Solon | $60,081 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Ohio cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Ohio?
How does Ohio physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Ohio?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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