PT Assistant Salary

Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Upper Arlington, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$66,949
$32.19/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$61,952
$29.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$66,949$61,952
Hourly Rate$32.19$29.78
Entry Level (P10)$52,464$44,971
25th Percentile$62,388$54,880
75th Percentile$79,451$71,153
Top Earner (P90)$90,279$77,351
Total Employed9309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($66,949) and Upper Arlington ($61,952) physical therapist assistant salaries.CincinnatiUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$66,949$61,952Entry Level (P10)$52,464$44,971Top Earner (P90)$90,279$77,351US Median $70,247

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Upper Arlington.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington is $4,997 (8.07%). Cincinnati's median is -4.69% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $37,815,Upper Arlington spans $32,380. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$52,464
P25$62,388
Median$66,949
P75$79,451
P90 (Top)$90,279
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$44,971
P25$54,880
Median$61,952
P75$71,153
P90 (Top)$77,351

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($70,199 effective) pays 2.77% more than Upper Arlington ($68,304 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $66,949
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $70,199
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $61,952
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,304

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,949/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,279)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,199)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Cincinnati grew 8.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+8.0%

$60,370 (2019) → $65,170 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+9.6%

$55,012 (2024) → $60,306 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Cincinnati or Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,949/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $61,952/year — a difference of $4,997 (8.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati physical therapist assistants earn $32.19/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $29.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Upper Arlington as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $70,199, Upper Arlington = $68,304), job availability (930 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $52,464 in Cincinnati and $44,971 in Upper Arlington. The Cincinnati area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov