Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Southfield, MI: $30.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Southfield, MI runs $30.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Southfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,552 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Southfield, Michigan, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $30.09 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This amount reflects the compensation a physical therapist assistant could expect to receive while working in various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and pediatric therapy spaces. For those working part-time—possibly three days a week—this hourly rate means a reasonable take-home depending on their weekly hours. Entry-level physical therapist assistants can expect to earn around $20.25 per hour, while seasoned professionals at the top of the scale might see rates as high as $40.55 per hour. Hourly rates reflect broader annual salary data which helps illustrate the earning potential for this growing field in Southfield.
About the Southfield 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) | $20.25 | $161.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.55 | $204.39 |
| Median (P50) | $30.09 | $240.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.52 | $284.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.55 | $324.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Southfield
Based on $30.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.09/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Southfield, MI can expect to earn approximately $62,586 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,108. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Southfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Southfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,203.58 | $5,216 | $62,586 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $722.15 | $3,129 | $37,552 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $481.43 | $2,086 | $25,035 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Southfield) | $30.09 |
| 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 Southfield, MI earn a median of $62,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.89% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% below the Michigan state average of $62,784.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.09/hr = $37,552/year (purchasing power: $40,292).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,586/year (purchasing power: $67,153).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Southfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Southfield grew 16.3% from $25.18/hr (2019) to $29.29/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.91/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 Southfield 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 Southfield
Part-time physical therapist assistants in Southfield working 24 hours a week can earn approximately $37,092 annually, a considerable sum for those balancing other commitments. For those considering per diem roles, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay typically ranges from $32 to $48, with more competitive compensation for travel contracts that can yield $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, the changes to Medicare reimbursements since 2022 have pressured pay rates in settings like skilled nursing facilities, where agency PTA pay may have decreased. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and rehabilitation hospitals generally provide different hourly rates, influenced by the benefits they offer, such as health insurance. Some physical therapist assistants may accept a lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive benefits, while others prefer higher hourly rates without the additional costs. Negotiating effectively around these factors can be crucial for maximizing earnings in the evolving healthcare landscape of Southfield.
More salary data for Southfield, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Southfield in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Southfield?
Are physical therapist assistants in Southfield paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Southfield?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Southfield?
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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 Southfield. 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 Southfield 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