Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Saginaw, MI: $61,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Saginaw, MI earns a median $61,689/year (≈ $29.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Saginaw's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $67,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Saginaw, Michigan, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,689, which falls below the national median of $70,247. This positions the local pay approximately 12.18% lower than the national average. When examining the salary distribution, physical therapist assistants can expect to see a range from $45,129 at the 10th percentile to as much as $116,814 at the 90th percentile. This data reflects significant shifts in the field, particularly post-Medicare cuts, which have altered the dynamics of compensation between outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in the region. Understanding these changes is crucial for those entering or advancing in this profession in Saginaw.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,129 | $21.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,807 | $24.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,689 | $29.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,213 | $32.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,814 | $56.16 |
Median Salary Position
12.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Saginaw
In Saginaw, MI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,685 (2026 est.). At $61,689, the local median is 12.18% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Saginaw: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Saginaw Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Saginaw median: $61,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Saginaw Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $62,756 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.18% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Saginaw, MI earn a median of $61,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.70% below the Michigan state average of $62,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Saginaw has a cost of living 9.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Saginaw, MI has a cost-of-living index of 90.891 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,689 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,871 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,930
2025 BLS Actual
$60,050
2026 Current Est.
$61,689
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Saginaw (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,373 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Saginaw metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.5% from $52,930 (2019) to $60,050 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,373 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,443 (19.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Saginaw 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,129 – $51,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,807 – $61,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,689 – $68,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,213 – $116,814 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Saginaw
The local job market for physical therapist assistants in Saginaw is vibrant, with 70 professionals currently employed in this role. However, the cost of living index stands at 90.891, suggesting a slightly lower expense threshold compared to the national average. This reality impacts the take-home purchasing power of PTAs, making it essential to seek employment opportunities with higher pay, notably in settings like outpatient orthopedic clinics, which often offer better compensation compared to SNFs and hospital rehab programs. Factors such as productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and shifts in Medicare reimbursement since the 15% cut directly affect salary ranges. To maximize pay within the Saginaw market, aspiring PTAs should consider seeking positions in environments that demand their skills while also being flexible with hours, potentially including weekend or PRN work that offers premium pay.
More salary data for Saginaw, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Saginaw, MI in 2026?
Is Saginaw, MI a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Saginaw?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Saginaw?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Saginaw?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,050 for physical therapist assistantsin the Saginaw metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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