Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Traverse City, MI
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $61,290 a year ($29.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,480 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 1% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $61,670. There are 1.9 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| 25th percentile | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| Median | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| 75th percentile | $72,600 | $34.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| Average (mean) | $63,840 | $30.69 |
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 | $5,107.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,553.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,357.31 |
| Weekly | $1,178.65 |
| Hourly | $29.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,290 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $27,370 | $13.16 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,900 | $20.14 |
| Medical Assistant | $42,580 | $20.47 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,310 | $21.79 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,840 | $19.16 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| Orderly | $36,940 | $17.76 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $61,290 a year, or $29.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $77,480 a year. The top 25% earn $72,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,650 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $61,290 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Traverse City, MI?
About 130 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.