How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 1,810 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $29,350 1. The state’s concentration of physical therapy aide jobs is 1.33x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in Michigan, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Michigan
How do I become a physical therapy aide in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Michigan is $29,350 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,070 and experienced professionals can earn $38,300 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Median wage (Michigan): $29,350 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | Physical therapists need to be a graduate of an accredited program and pass the national exam. The fee for this license is $116.65. |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | Physical therapists assistants need to be a graduate of an accredited program and pass the national exam. The fee for this license is $116.65. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 800 | $28,570 | $31,240 | $27,070 | $37,710 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 360 | $31,730 | $34,280 | $27,670 | $39,400 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 80 | $28,520 | $30,470 | $27,610 | $34,270 |
| Ann Arbor | 70 | $33,790 | $33,400 | $28,620 | $38,180 |
| Flint | 60 | $27,100 | $28,460 | $27,060 | $34,290 |
| Traverse City | 60 | $27,370 | $29,860 | $25,960 | $39,640 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 40 | $27,920 | $28,250 | $27,230 | $29,350 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 800 | $28,570 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 360 | $31,730 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 80 | $28,520 |
| Ann Arbor | 70 | $33,790 |
| Flint | 60 | $27,100 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 1,810 physical therapy aides 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a physical therapy aide in Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Michigan is $29,350, which is $5,170 below the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |