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Physical Therapist Assistant in Michigan: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Michigan employs 4,520 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $61,670 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Michigan licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Michigan (May 2025)

Michigan median pay: $61,670 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $35,700
Experienced (75th percentile): $68,700
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,600
Employed in Michigan: 4,520
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Michigan markets:

Grand Rapids: $68,700 (700 employed)
Kalamazoo: $62,860 (90 employed)
Detroit: $62,220 (1,880 employed)
Ann Arbor: $61,200 (230 employed)
Lansing: $60,740 (120 employed)
Saginaw: $60,050 (70 employed)
Flint: $59,210 (130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Michigan

Prices in Michigan run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,670 median stretches to roughly $64,106 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2024–2034)

Michigan is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +23.4%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 740 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Michigan License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license — regulated by the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (LARA).

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (about 2 years including clinical rotations).
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs (NPTE-PTA) through FSBPT, plus a 25-question Michigan jurisprudence examination (75% passing score required).
Apply for licensure through LARA ($635 in fees). PTAs in Michigan practice under general supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.

Official requirements: Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (LARA) →

Training in Michigan

Michigan has CAPTE-accredited PTA programs at Baker College, Delta College, Kellogg Community College, Lake Michigan College, and Oakland Community College. Physical therapist assistant shortages in rural and northern Michigan often mean stronger job placement and signing bonuses for new graduates.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Michigan include:

Alpena Community College — Associate
Baker College — Associate
Davenport University — Associate
Delta College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Michigan

Real Michigan outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Preferred Rehabilitation — Allen Park
Thunder Bay Therapy & Sports Medicine — Alpena
Active Physical Therapy and Sports — Bad Axe
Paramount Rehabilitation Services — Bay City
Willowbrook Rehabilitation Service — Brighton
Individualized Physical Therapy & Rehab — Canton

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Michigan?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Michigan is $61,670 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,700, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Michigan?

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license, overseen by the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (LARA). Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (about 2 years including clinical rotations).

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Michigan?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Michigan metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Michigan metro areas, Grand Rapids leads at $68,700, followed by Kalamazoo ($62,860), Detroit ($62,220). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Michigan?

Real Michigan options include Alpena Community College, Baker College, Davenport University. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Michigan?

Michigan projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +23.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 740 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Michigan statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (LARA) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Michigan wages · Michigan licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.