The median pay for Physical Therapist Assistants is $68,380 a year ($32.88/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 23.0% through 2035, with about 18,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 31-2021
- Healthcare Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Physical Therapist Assistant in four numbers
- Median pay
- $68,380a year, or $32.88/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $90K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +23.0%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+23%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +23% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 18,500114,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025114.1K
- Projected 2035140.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 114.1K Projected 2035 140.4K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's84.2%
- Bachelor's14.9%
- Professional degree1%
Highest education held by physical therapist assistants Segment Value Associate's 84.2% Bachelor's 14.9% Professional degree 1%
Also advertised as: Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA), Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant, Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA), Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant.
Pay
How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make?
Every physical therapist assistant in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$68,380
Middle half earn $59,820 to $78,680
- 10th
- $47,750
- 25th
- $59,820
- 75th
- $78,680
- 90th
- $89,510
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,750 |
| 25th | $59,820 |
| Median | $68,380 |
| 75th | $78,680 |
| 90th | $89,510 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $68,380
- Median hourly wage
- $32.88/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $68,730
- People employed
- 112,430
Versus all US occupations
At $68,380, Physical Therapist Assistants earn 34% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $17,400 a year.
Versus healthcare support occupations
Inside the Healthcare Support group, where the middle occupation pays $42,260, this is 62% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $89,510 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,750, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 44% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($83,110), but once local prices are taken into account Texas leads at $80,365 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Physical Therapist Assistants 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $83,110 | $75,063 | 9,400 |
| 2Massachusetts | $79,460 | $75,135 | 2,640 |
| 3New Jersey | $78,440 | $72,092 | 1,810 |
| 4Texas | $78,000 | $80,365 | 10,510 |
| 5Maryland | $77,670 | $74,000 | 1,430 |
| 6Alaska | $77,640 | $75,851 | 110 |
| 7Connecticut | $75,880 | $73,236 | 980 |
| 8Nevada | $75,520 | $75,536 | 560 |
| 9Delaware | $74,610 | $74,754 | 340 |
| 10Virginia | $73,760 | $72,955 | 3,370 |
Job outlook
Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +23.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistants | +23% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Physical Therapist Assistants to change 23.0% over 2025–2035, roughly 6.6× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 26,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 18,500 openings are projected each year, 16.2% of the 114,100 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 Assistant
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
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some 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 assistants.
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree84.2%
- Bachelor's Degree14.9%
- First Professional Degree1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 84.2% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 14.9% |
| First Professional Degree | 1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Physical Therapist Assistant do?
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
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
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
- Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
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 dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
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 importantDealing with customers or the public is very 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 assistants 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 Listening4.0
- Speaking3.8
- Monitoring3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Writing3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Active Learning3.3
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.8
- Service Orientation3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Instructing3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Persuasion3.0
- Time Management3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Action games
- Billing and invoicing software
- 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 Assistant?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Physical Therapist Assistant |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| 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.
- Social6.4
- Realistic4.5
- Conventional3.8
- Investigative3.6
- Artistic1.5
- Enterprising1.3
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 Assistant
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare support careers
Median annual pay, with physical therapist assistants 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
- Home Health Aide$35,800
| 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 |
| Home Health Aide | $35,800 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Physical Therapist Assistant appears on
Questions
Physical Therapist Assistant: frequently asked questions
How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make?
Physical Therapist Assistants earn a median of $68,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 34% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $32.88/hr. The middle half earn between $59,820 and $78,680. The top 10% earn $89,510 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Physical Therapist Assistants. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 84.2% hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree.
Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 23.0% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 18,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Physical Therapist Assistant 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: instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Medical software.
Which states pay Physical Therapist Assistants the most?
The highest state medians for Physical Therapist Assistants are California ($83,110), Massachusetts ($79,460), New Jersey ($78,440) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Texas moves to the top at $80,365.
What personality type suits a Physical Therapist Assistant?
O*NET scores Physical Therapist Assistants 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 that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.