Physical therapist assistants (usually referred to as PTAs) work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They are very “hands on” and help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage (or minimize) pain.
In this article (and video), you’ll learn about the job duties, education requirements, likes and dislikes, and the detailed salary information for physical therapist assistants.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Overview and Duties
Physical therapist assistants typically do the following tasks on the job:
- They observe patients before, during, and after therapy, noting their status and reporting to a physical therapist
- They help patients do specific exercises as part of the plan of care
- They use a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching, exercise, gait and balance training, and electrical stimulation to treat patients
- They use devices and equipment, such as walkers, to help patients regain mobility
- They educate patients and family members about what to do after treatment
Physical Therapist Assistant Education Requirements
What are the education requirements if you want to become a physical therapist assistant? Most states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist program. This requires approximately two years of schooling, as well as clinical work.
Once you complete all of the education requirements, you must then take a state licensing exam, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Education and Training
Most states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. In 2012 the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredited 298 associate’s degree programs for physical therapist assistants.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Outlook
Employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 41 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Although some areas may have scarce jobs, this is an overall very positive job outlook. As of 2012, there were 76,910 jobs in U.S. for this occupation.
Physical Therapist Assistants Job Likes and Dislikes
Here are some of the likes of this profession:
- It can be very rewarding helping others and seeing a direct impact of your skills. Seeing someone recover from an injury or illness and knowing you had an impact on that individual’s life can be extremely satisfying.
- The education requirements are not extensive, yet the income is very reasonable.
- PTAs are often treated with respect from patients because the patients know they are helping them improve their quality of life.
- There are less documenting requirements as compared to other healthcare professions
Here are some of the dislikes of this profession:
- PTAs have a limited scope of practice, and they have to rely on the physical therapist for many tasks.
- Some patients can become aggressive or can be difficult to work with because they’ve had an accident or a stroke, or they are elderly.
- It can be difficult to advance, and some PTAs try to move into research or go back to school. To become a physical therapist, it usually requires a master’s degree (a doctorate will be required in the future), so there can be a significant increase in education requirements to advance.
Physical Therapist Assistant Average Salary
The tables below contain average salaries for physical therapist assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, as of 2014, the average hourly wage was $26.12, and the average salary for PTAs was $54,330.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
Employment |
Employment RSE | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage | Wage RSE |
| 76,910 | 1.5 % | $26.12 | $54,330 | 0.5 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $15.31 | $20.81 | $26.16 | $31.59 | $36.31 |
| Annual Wage | $31,840 | $43,280 | $54,410 | $65,710 | $75,530 |
Industries with the highest levels of employment for physical therapist assistants:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 34,060 | 4.40 | $25.34 | $52,700 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 15,460 | 0.29 | $24.67 | $51,320 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 8,630 | 0.52 | $29.25 | $60,840 |
| Home Health Care Services | 6,830 | 0.54 | $30.20 | $62,810 |
| Offices of Physicians | 4,290 | 0.17 | $24.76 | $51,500 |
Top paying industries for physical therapist assistants:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Home Health Care Services | 6,830 | 0.54 | $30.20 | $62,810 |
| Employment Services | 690 | 0.02 | $29.83 | $62,040 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 8,630 | 0.52 | $29.25 | $60,840 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | 970 | 0.12 | $27.79 | $57,800 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 960 | 0.14 | $27.56 | $57,330 |
Lowest paying states for physical therapist assistants:
| Hawaii | 16.62 | 34,570 |
| South Dakota | 16.71 | 34,760 |
| Arizona | 19.80 | 41,180 |
Top paying states for PTAs:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Texas | 5,760 | 0.51 | 0.90 | $33.35 | $69,370 |
| California | 4,720 | 0.31 | 0.55 | $31.18 | $64,850 |
| New Jersey | 1,220 | 0.32 | 0.55 | $29.63 | $61,630 |
| Alaska | 50 | 0.16 | 0.29 | $29.58 | $61,520 |
| Florida | 4,940 | 0.64 | 1.13 | $28.99 | $60,290 |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Averages by State:
| State | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | Annual median wage |
| Alabama | 25.29 | 52,600 | 53,470 |
| Alaska | 29.58 | 61,520 | 60,380 |
| Arizona | 19.80 | 41,180 | 39,420 |
| Arkansas | 24.23 | 50,400 | 52,190 |
| California | 31.18 | 64,850 | 67,400 |
| Colorado | 23.66 | 49,220 | 50,200 |
| Connecticut | 25.17 | 52,360 | 56,400 |
| Delaware | 27.19 | 56,550 | 55,110 |
| District of Columbia | 24.22 | 50,380 | 48,860 |
| Florida | 28.99 | 60,290 | 59,290 |
| Georgia | 27.13 | 56,440 | 57,900 |
| Hawaii | 16.62 | 34,570 | 31,110 |
| Idaho | 24.90 | 51,790 | 53,880 |
| Illinois | 24.60 | 51,160 | 52,650 |
| Indiana | 26.51 | 55,140 | 54,820 |
| Iowa | 22.66 | 47,140 | 46,640 |
| Kansas | 26.52 | 55,170 | 54,950 |
| Kentucky | 25.02 | 52,040 | 52,150 |
| Louisiana | 20.47 | 42,570 | 41,420 |
| Maine | 24.39 | 50,730 | 51,030 |
| Maryland | 27.07 | 56,310 | 57,640 |
| Massachusetts | 27.46 | 57,120 | 57,900 |
| Michigan | 21.13 | 43,950 | 43,740 |
| Minnesota | 23.71 | 49,320 | 50,590 |
| Mississippi | 22.25 | 46,270 | 49,330 |
| Missouri | 24.15 | 50,240 | 51,340 |
| Montana | 20.83 | 43,330 | 43,590 |
| Nebraska | 24.13 | 50,180 | 49,510 |
| Nevada | 27.26 | 56,710 | 56,960 |
| New Hampshire | 24.60 | 51,170 | 51,600 |
| New Jersey | 29.63 | 61,630 | 61,950 |
| New Mexico | 20.43 | 42,490 | 42,510 |
| New York | 25.25 | 52,510 | 53,120 |
| North Carolina | 27.67 | 57,550 | 58,280 |
| North Dakota | 26.33 | 54,770 | 53,270 |
| Ohio | 27.59 | 57,400 | 56,100 |
| Oklahoma | 25.92 | 53,900 | 55,060 |
| Oregon | 25.69 | 53,440 | 53,750 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.79 | 45,320 | 44,050 |
| Puerto Rico | 10.90 | 22,670 | 20,070 |
| Rhode Island | 24.00 | 49,920 | 49,460 |
| South Carolina | 27.20 | 56,570 | 54,490 |
| South Dakota | 16.71 | 34,760 | 34,700 |
| Tennessee | 25.70 | 53,450 | 54,320 |
| Texas | 33.35 | 69,370 | 68,420 |
| Utah | 23.57 | 49,030 | 49,460 |
| Vermont | 24.97 | 51,930 | 51,970 |
| Virginia | 25.69 | 53,420 | 54,530 |
| Washington | 26.66 | 55,450 | 55,820 |
| West Virginia | 22.03 | 45,830 | 45,520 |
| Wisconsin | 23.76 | 49,420 | 49,860 |
| Wyoming | 23.78 | 49,470 | 49,630 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Physical Therapy Assistants, on the Internet at bls.gov.