Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Michigan
Physical Therapist Assistants in Michigan earn a median of $61,670 a year ($29.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,600 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $68,380. Michigan ranks 43rd of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 1.0 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,260, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| 25th percentile | $52,450 | $25.22 |
| Median | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| 75th percentile | $68,700 | $33.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| Average (mean) | $60,260 | $28.97 |
Half of physical therapist assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,139.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,569.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,371.92 |
| Weekly | $1,185.96 |
| Hourly | $29.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $68,700 | 700 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $66,310 | 100 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $66,300 | 110 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $62,860 | 90 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,220 | 1,880 |
| Traverse City, MI | $61,290 | 130 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $61,200 | 230 |
| Jackson, MI | $60,990 | n/a |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $60,940 | 110 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $60,740 | 120 |
| Saginaw, MI | $60,050 | 70 |
| Flint, MI | $59,210 | 130 |
| Bay City, MI | $58,970 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,260 | $30.41 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,050 | $18.78 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,570 | $19.03 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,860 | $19.16 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Massage Therapist | $70,960 | $34.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $40,280 | $19.36 |
| Orderly | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $45,800 | $22.02 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Michigan?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Michigan is $61,670 a year, or $29.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Michigan?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Michigan earn at least $78,600 a year. The top 25% earn $68,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,700 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $52,450 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Michigan?
About 4,520 physical therapist assistants are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.