Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $29.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Bay City, MI runs $29.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,347 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bay City, MI, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $29.12, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This wage has implications for part-time workers, who may typically work three days a week in various environments such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital rehab units. The hourly compensation ranges from $24.47 for entry-level positions to $36.76 for those at the top of their pay scale, reflecting the demand and experience differences among PTAs. As projected BLS data from 2025 indicates, this hourly pay serves as a foundation for both part-time and per diem work arrangements, making it essential for aspiring PTAs to understand the financial landscape in which they will operate.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.47 | $195.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.72 | $213.76 |
| Median (P50) | $29.12 | $232.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.61 | $244.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.76 | $294.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $29.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.12/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $60,578 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,949. With a cost-of-living index of 91.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.96 | $5,048 | $60,578 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.97 | $3,029 | $36,347 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.98 | $2,019 | $24,231 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Bay City) | $29.12 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Bay City, MI earn a median of $60,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.76% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.50% below the Michigan state average of $62,777.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.12/hr = $36,347/year (purchasing power: $39,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,578/year (purchasing power: $65,902).
CoL index: 91.921 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bay City grew 16.3% from $24.38/hr (2019) to $28.35/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Bay City
When considering a part-time schedule of 24 hours per week, the financial picture for physical therapist assistants begins to unfold. This translates to an annual income of about $36,304 for part-time workers, substantially lower than a full-time salary. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Bay City shows significant variability, with rates typically ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, depending on the setting and demand. For agency PTAs, earnings can rise with travel contracts offering weekly payments between $1,200 and $1,800. However, it's crucial to note that SNF agency pay has seen reductions due to reimbursement cuts from Medicare that took effect in 2022, impacting the typical pay structure. Differences in hourly rates across various employers in Bay City— from outpatient clinics to pediatric therapy programs—further illustrate the benefits and compromises that PTAs might encounter, such as choosing between higher hourly wages without benefits versus slightly lower rates with health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies are essential, and aspiring professionals should consider all aspects of compensation to find a balance that works for their financial and personal needs.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bay City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Bay City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Bay City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Bay City?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bay City?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Bay City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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