Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cleveland, OH: $66,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Cleveland, OH earns a median $66,569/year (≈ $32.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $70,876 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median physical therapist assistant salary in Cleveland, OH, is projected to be $66,569, which is approximately 5.24% lower than the national median of $70,247. Salaries for physical therapist assistants in this area range from $57,929 at the lowest end of the scale to $85,677 at the highest. These estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reflect the dynamics of the local job market, where opportunities are promising for those entering the field. The potential for increased lifetime earnings is particularly notable for physical therapist assistants pursuing advanced degrees, such as the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), as they transition into roles with greater responsibility and corresponding pay increases.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,929 | $27.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,357 | $29.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,569 | $32.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,859 | $37.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,677 | $41.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,748 (2026 est.). At $66,569, the local median is 5.24% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $66,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,392 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -5.24% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $66,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.24% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.80% above the Ohio state average of $65,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,569 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,876 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,680
2025 BLS Actual
$64,800
2026 Current Est.
$66,569
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.8% from $60,680 (2019) to $64,800 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,706 (12.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $57,929 – $62,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,357 – $66,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,569 – $77,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,859 – $85,677 |
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 Cleveland
Cleveland's job market employs around 1,280 physical therapist assistants, indicating a stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living index stands at 93.923, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, local purchasing power remains relatively strong. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest pay, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings. The variability in pay is influenced by factors such as the work environment—hospitals typically provide more robust salaries compared to outpatient settings—and operational efficiencies that influence productivity. To maximize earnings in Cleveland, physical therapist assistants should seek positions in settings offering the best compensation packages and consider further education or certifications that qualify them for higher-paying roles in a competitive market.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $64,800 for physical therapist assistantsin the Cleveland 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
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