Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Cleveland Heights, OH: $29.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Cleveland Heights, OH runs $29.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,034 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Cleveland Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,219 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, physical therapist assistants can expect a median hourly rate of $29.82, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This rate greatly influences the earning potential for part-time workers, such as those who opt to work three days a week, allowing flexibility while still receiving a competitive wage. For entry-level positions, pay starts at $21.75, progressing up to $37.38 per hour for the highest earners in the area. These rates, while reflective of the local cost of living and market demand, illustrate what physical therapist assistants might earn in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health services, and pediatric therapy environments. It's essential to consider that these hourly figures are projections derived from annual salary data and can serve as a critical benchmark for newly minted PTAs and experienced practitioners alike.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.75 | $173.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.46 | $211.71 |
| Median (P50) | $29.82 | $238.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.63 | $269.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.38 | $299.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland Heights
Based on $29.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.82/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland Heights, OH can expect to earn approximately $62,031 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,787. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,192.90 | $5,169 | $62,031 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $715.74 | $3,102 | $37,219 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.16 | $2,068 | $24,812 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Cleveland Heights) | $29.82 |
| 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 Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $62,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.69% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $65,367.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.82/hr = $37,219/year (purchasing power: $41,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,031/year (purchasing power: $68,391).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Cleveland Heights grew 16.3% from $24.96/hr (2019) to $29.03/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.64/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 Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights
In terms of overall earning potential, a physical therapist assistant working part-time at 24 hours per week would bring home around $37,152 annually. This figure starkly contrasts with the earnings of full-time employees, reflecting the trade-off between hours worked and income. For PTAs pursuing per-diem roles or agency work in Cleveland Heights, billing rates typically range from $32 to $48 per hour, and travel contracts can offer competitive weekly pay of $1,200 to $1,800, although the recent Medicare cuts have affected premium pay in many skilled nursing facilities. Different employer types, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospitals, and home health agencies, present distinct pay scales due to their varying levels of funding and demand. When negotiating for hourly pay, PTAs should assess their value considering job benefits like health insurance, which often accompany lower pay rates but provide essential support. Understanding these dynamics can offer physical therapist assistants not only insight into their current pay but also guidance in making informed career decisions in Ohio's healthcare environment.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Cleveland Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Cleveland Heights?
Are physical therapist assistants in Cleveland Heights paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Cleveland Heights?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cleveland Heights?
Related Pages
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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 Cleveland Heights. 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 Cleveland Heights 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