PT Assistant Salary

Cleveland vs Wadsworth: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$66,569
$32.00/hr
Wadsworth, OH
$60,268
$28.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHWadsworth, OH
Median Salary$66,569$60,268
Hourly Rate$32.00$28.97
Entry Level (P10)$57,929$45,334
25th Percentile$62,357$54,514
75th Percentile$77,859$68,358
Top Earner (P90)$85,677$73,491
Total Employed1,2806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($66,569) and Wadsworth ($60,268) physical therapist assistant salaries.ClevelandWadsworthMedian Salary$66,569$60,268Entry Level (P10)$57,929$45,334Top Earner (P90)$85,677$73,491US Median $70,247

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wadsworth.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Wadsworth is $6,301 (10.45%). Cleveland's median is -5.24% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $27,748,Wadsworth spans $28,157. Wadsworth has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$57,929
P25$62,357
Median$66,569
P75$77,859
P90 (Top)$85,677
Wadsworth
P10 (Entry)$45,334
P25$54,514
Median$60,268
P75$68,358
P90 (Top)$73,491

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($70,876 effective) pays 6.66% more than Wadsworth ($66,448 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $66,569
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $70,876
Wadsworth
Nominal: $60,268
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $66,448

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,569/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,677)
  • Larger job market (1,280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,876)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Wadsworth if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Cleveland grew 6.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Wadsworth over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+6.8%

$60,680 (2019) → $64,800 (2025)

Wadsworth, OH

+9.6%

$53,515 (2024) → $58,666 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Cleveland or Wadsworth?

Cleveland has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $66,569/year, compared to Wadsworth at $60,268/year — a difference of $6,301 (10.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Wadsworth?

Cleveland physical therapist assistants earn $32.00/hr while Wadsworth hygienists earn $28.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Wadsworth as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Wadsworth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $70,876, Wadsworth = $66,448), job availability (1,280 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Cleveland vs Wadsworth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $57,929 in Cleveland and $45,334 in Wadsworth. The Cleveland 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