Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Farmington Hills, MI: $30.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Farmington Hills, MI runs $30.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,853 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Farmington Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,706 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $30.21 in Farmington Hills, Michigan, physical therapist assistants earn notably less than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This translates to roughly $1,210 weekly for those engaged in a standard three-day work week at 24 hours. For part-time or per-diem workers, such as those providing services in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or through home health visits, this rate offers a solid foundation for their earnings. The hourly pay for physical therapist assistants in Farmington Hills ranges significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $20.43 and experienced professionals reaching up to $41.06 per hour, reflecting the varying demands and responsibilities across different work settings.
About the Farmington Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.43 | $163.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.81 | $206.45 |
| Median (P50) | $30.21 | $241.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.65 | $277.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.06 | $328.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Farmington Hills
Based on $30.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.21/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Farmington Hills, MI can expect to earn approximately $62,843 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,255. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Farmington Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Farmington Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,208.52 | $5,237 | $62,843 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $725.11 | $3,142 | $37,706 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.41 | $2,095 | $25,137 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Farmington Hills) | $30.21 |
| 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 Farmington Hills, MI earn a median of $62,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.53% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.10% above the Michigan state average of $62,791.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.21/hr = $37,706/year (purchasing power: $40,457).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,843/year (purchasing power: $67,428).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Farmington Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Farmington Hills grew 16.3% from $25.29/hr (2019) to $29.41/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.04/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 Farmington Hills 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 Farmington Hills
Turning to the financial advantages of part-time work, a physical therapist assistant employed three days a week averages around $67,189 annually. In contrast, full-time PTAs often secure more consistent income, yet part-time employment can provide flexibility, appealing to many working in outpatient orthopedic clinics, school therapy programs, and hospital rehab units. Per diem physical therapist assistants may charge anywhere from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel PTA contracts yielding between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, though recent cuts in Medicare reimbursement have influenced agency pay rates, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. The decision to accept a lower hourly rate in favor of a full benefits package or pursue higher pay without insurance can vary significantly based on personal and professional priorities. For those in this field, understanding the diverse pay scales and negotiating effectively are vital skills to ensure they secure their desired compensation, particularly in a market affected by Medicare's 15% cut to services provided by PTAs that took effect in 2022.
More salary data for Farmington Hills, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Farmington Hills in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Farmington Hills?
Are physical therapist assistants in Farmington Hills paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Farmington Hills?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Farmington Hills?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Farmington Hills. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Farmington Hills is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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