Physical Therapist Aides earn a median of $35,240 per year ($16.94/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.0% through 2035, with about 6,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 31-2022
- Healthcare Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Physical Therapist Aide in four numbers
- Median pay
- $35,240a year, or $16.94/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $25KTop 10% $48K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.0%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6,40049,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202549K
- Projected 203551K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 49K Projected 2035 51K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school10.1%
- High school34.4%
- Some college9.6%
- Associate's25.1%
- Bachelor's8.6%
- Doctorate10.1%
Highest education held by physical therapist aides Segment Value Less than high school 10.1% High school 34.4% Some college 9.6% Associate's 25.1% Bachelor's 8.6% Doctorate 10.1%
Also advertised as: Physical Therapist Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Aide (PTA), PT Attendant (Physical Therapy Attendant), PT Tech (Physical Therapist Technician), PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician), Rehabilitation Aide.
Pay
How much do Physical Therapist Aides make?
Every physical therapist aide in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$35,240
Middle half earn $30,410 to $38,810
- 10th
- $25,360
- 25th
- $30,410
- 75th
- $38,810
- 90th
- $47,780
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $25,360 |
| 25th | $30,410 |
| Median | $35,240 |
| 75th | $38,810 |
| 90th | $47,780 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $35,240
- Median hourly wage
- $16.94/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $36,430
- People employed
- 48,150
Versus all US occupations
At $35,240, Physical Therapist Aides earn 31% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,740 a year.
Versus healthcare support occupations
Inside the Healthcare Support group, where the middle occupation pays $42,260, this is 17% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $47,780 or more while the bottom 10% earn $25,360, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 1% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Alaska pays the most at $55,760, and still leads at $54,475 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Physical Therapist Aides the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $55,760 | $54,475 | 110 |
| 2Minnesota | $42,330 | $42,922 | 150 |
| 3Colorado | $41,970 | $40,727 | 360 |
| 4New Hampshire | $40,460 | $38,842 | 130 |
| 5Maine | $39,660 | $40,866 | 90 |
| 6Washington | $39,500 | $36,911 | 760 |
| 7District of Columbia | $38,950 | $35,441 | 30 |
| 8Montana | $38,950 | $41,154 | 110 |
| 9California | $38,330 | $34,619 | 7,330 |
| 10North Dakota | $37,680 | $42,357 | 120 |
Job outlook
Is Physical Therapist Aide a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +4.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aides | +4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Physical Therapist Aides to change 4.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 6,400 openings are projected each year, 13.1% of the 49,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 17 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for physical therapy is expected to increase in response to the health needs of an aging population. Older adults are more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, and mobility-related disabilities and injuries, increasing the demand for physical therapy in rehabilitation.
In addition, more physical therapist assistants and aides will be needed to help patients maintain their mobility and manage the effects of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
Getting in
How to become a Physical Therapist Aide
Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as physical therapist aides.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)34.4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree25.1%
- Less than a High School Diploma10.1%
- Doctoral Degree10.1%
- Some College Courses9.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 34.4% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 25.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 10.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.1% |
| Some College Courses | 9.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Physical Therapist Aide do?
Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
Physical therapist assistants, sometimes called PTAs, and physical therapist aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to regain movement and manage pain.
Physical therapist assistants are involved in the direct care of patients.
Day-to-day tasks
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
- Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
- Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most physical therapist assistants and aides work full time, although part time work is common. Some work nights and weekends because many physical therapy offices and clinics have extended hours to accommodate patients’ schedules.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where physical therapist aides work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists65%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private18%
- Offices of physicians9%
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)2%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 65% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 18% |
| Offices of physicians | 9% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 2% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.6
- Monitoring3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Writing3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Learning Strategies2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Instructing3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Persuasion2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Physical Therapist Aide?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Physical Therapist Aide |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Social6.0
- Realistic4.7
- Conventional3.9
- Investigative2.6
- Enterprising2.1
- Artistic1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Physical Therapist Aide
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare support careers
Median annual pay, with physical therapist aides highlighted
- Occupational Therapy Assistant$72,300
- Physical Therapist Assistant$68,380
- Massage Therapist$58,450
- Dental Assistant$48,070
- Medical Assistant$45,690
- Phlebotomist$45,230
- Nursing Assistant$42,260
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$38,150
- Physical Therapist Aide$35,240
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,240 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Physical Therapist Aide appears on
Questions
Physical Therapist Aide: frequently asked questions
How much do Physical Therapist Aides make?
Physical Therapist Aides earn a median of $35,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 31% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $16.94/hr. The middle half earn between $30,410 and $38,810. The top 10% earn $47,780 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Physical Therapist Aide?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Physical Therapist Aides. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 34.4% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Physical Therapist Aide a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 4.0% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 6,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Physical Therapist Aide do?
Physical therapist assistants, sometimes called PTAs, and physical therapist aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. A core O*NET task: clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Physical Therapist Aides the most?
The highest state medians for Physical Therapist Aides are Alaska ($55,760), Minnesota ($42,330), Colorado ($41,970) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Physical Therapist Aide?
O*NET scores Physical Therapist Aides highest on the Social, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ESFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.