Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Bowling Green, OH: $64,956 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Bowling Green, OH earns a median $64,956/year (≈ $31.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $71,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected physical therapist assistant salary in Bowling Green, OH, stands at $64,956 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this profession locally varies significantly, from $46,937 at the 10th percentile to $80,930 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differences. Job seekers might find this information particularly relevant as they consider the potential lifetime earnings, especially when weighing patient care opportunities against the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway, which can lead to significantly higher compensation over time. Given the economic climate and job market in Bowling Green, understanding these salary figures can help aspiring PTAs make informed career decisions.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,937 | $22.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,333 | $27.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,956 | $31.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,951 | $35.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,930 | $38.90 |
Median Salary Position
7.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, OH, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,993 (2026 est.). At $64,956, the local median is 7.53% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Bowling Green Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $64,956/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,348 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.53% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $64,956 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.53% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $65,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,956 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,616 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,362
2025 BLS Actual
$63,230
2026 Current Est.
$64,956
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,362 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,268 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,572 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,956 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,362 (2019) to $63,230 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,367 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $46,937 – $57,333 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,333 – $64,956 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,956 – $72,951 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,951 – $80,930 |
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 Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, seven physical therapist assistants are currently employed, indicating a relatively small but focused local job market. With a cost-of-living index at 90.7, PTAs may enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to many larger cities, making their salaries go further. Employment options in outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) may present challenges due to the 15% Medicare cuts impacting reimbursement for PTA services, causing wage compression. Maximizing pay could involve targeting outpatient settings or developing specialized skills that command higher pay rates, such as weekend coverage or achieving productivity benchmarks. As you plan your trajectory in physical therapy, consider these local dynamics to align your career path with the most lucrative opportunities available in Bowling Green, OH.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Bowling Green, OH in 2026?
Is Bowling Green, OH a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Bowling Green?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Bowling Green?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Bowling Green?
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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 $63,230 for physical therapist assistantsin the Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green 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