What is a PT Assistant? A Physical therapist assistant provides physical therapy treatments under the direction of a physical therapist. Some of the treatments he/she provides include exercising, massage and the use of heat and cold packs. The main tasks of a PT assistant are to provide assistance to therapists in performing examination, devising treatment plans and providing patient care
The Physical Therapist Assistant’s responsibilities include assisting the Physical Therapist in providing therapies and treatment programs to patients. Assist in conducting tests and experiments, assisting with patient evaluation procedures and maintaining appropriate records of care.
The average salary for a Physical Therapist Assistant is $53,505 per year. During the first year of employment the median salary is $42,400 and the average salary by years in an occupation is $53,505. The highest paid assistant therapists typically have at least 10 years of experience.
Salary For PT Assistant Overview
As a physical therapist assistant, you’ll be responsible for helping to provide patients with physical therapy services. The job description of a physical therapist assistant is very broad and can vary from one company to another. Some companies may expect you to perform tasks like taking patient histories and performing administrative tasks. Other companies expect you to perform more hands-on tasks such as assisting patients during therapy sessions.
The median salary for a physical therapist assistant is $38,000 per year (or $19 per hour). This number can vary depending on where you live in the country, however. For example, if you live in New York City or San Francisco then your salary may be higher than this because these areas tend to pay more than other parts of the country do.
The good news is that there are many different types of jobs out there so if one doesn’t work out then it’s easy enough to find another one quickly! The best way to start looking for these jobs is by searching online; some websites
Why become a physical therapist assistant?
There’s a lot to like about the role of a physical therapist assistant. According to the U.S. News & World Report job rankings, it is considered a top healthcare support job. This recognition was earned by weighing career factors like salary, unemployment rate and future growth along with job satisfaction elements such as stress level and work-life balance.
Generally speaking, physical therapist assistants tend to enjoy what they do. And that’s not hard to believe, considering their job revolves around helping patients holistically, using exercise, movement and an intricate understanding of the human body to help reduce pain and gain mobility. But beyond the helping nature of the work, there are two significant economic factors that make physical therapist assistant jobs enticing.
What is the job outlook for physical therapist assistants?
When it comes to healthcare workers, most people probably don’t think of physical therapist assistants. But the truth is that they play a critical role in the healthcare system. This is evident in the rapid growth in the field.
In fact, PTAs are among the top 10 fastest growing occupations in the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 Physical therapist assistant jobs are projected to increase 12 percent through 2030, which is three times faster than the BLS’ reported average for all occupations.1
Like many other healthcare jobs, the aging baby boomer generation is creating a spike in demand as retirements and age-related health issues grow. Physical therapists are also expected to rely more heavily on PTAs in order to reduce the cost of physical therapy services.
How much do physical therapist assistants make?
It’s only natural to be curious about what the typical physical therapist assistant salary is. You’re in for some good news. PTAs have strong earning potential, especially when considering these jobs can be attained with an Associate’s degree.
The BLS reports the 2020 median annual salary for physical therapist assistants was $59,770.1 It’s important to note that the PTA salary will vary based on experience and employer. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,840, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,470.1
According to the BLS, the average physical therapist assistant salary was highest for those employed at nursing home facilities and for home healthcare services.1 Now that you’re aware of the growth and earning potential for PTAs, let’s take a closer look at the job duties and path to become one.
What does a physical therapist assistant do?
Physical therapist assistants are part of a team that works with patients who have injuries or medical conditions that limit their mobility or make it difficult to perform everyday tasks and activities, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). PTAs typically observe patients before, during and after therapy. They help them perform exercises, treat them through massage and stretching techniques and educate patients and family members about post-treatment care.
Some common activities that PTAs assist patients with include: stretching, ultrasound therapy, therapeutic massage, balance and coordination training, electrical stimulation or heat and ice treatments.
How do you become a physical therapist assistant?
Now that you know a bit more about the job and its benefits, take a look at your step-by-step guide on how to become a physical therapist assistant.
Step 1: Earn a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate’s degree
All states require PTAs to have an Associate’s degree from an accredited program, according to the BLS. Earning a degree may sound daunting, but some PTA training can be completed in as few as 18 months.2 This formal education consists of courses, lab work and clinical training.
Step 2: Pass the licensing exam
All states except Colorado and Hawaii require PTAs to be licensed in addition to holding an Associate’s degree. Once applicants have graduated from a PTA program, they’re eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants. Once you pass this exam, you’ll be a licensed PTA.
It’s important to thoroughly prepare for the NPTE before taking it. Though retakes are available, you may only take the exam three times in one year or six times total. More details on the NPTE can be found at The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website. Depending on the state, physical therapist assistants may also need to take continuing education courses to maintain their license.
Step 3: Brush up on these in-demand PTA skills
After earning your Associate’s degree and passing the NPTE, you’re nearly ready to begin your career as a PTA. But before rushing into the career search process, it’s helpful to know what exactly employers are looking for so you can come prepared to put your best foot forward.
We used real-time job analysis software to examine more than 30,000 physical therapist jobs posted over the past year.3 The data helped us identify the top skills employers are seeking:
- Treatment planning
- Rehabilitation
- Patient care
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Home health
- Patient and family education
- Therapy
- Scheduling
While a great physical therapy assistant program is designed to equip you with the necessary technical skills, a little extra proficiency in these skill areas will help your resume stand out to employers. You might also consider getting involved in extracurricular activities to polish your skills. Coaching youth sports is an excellent option for anyone looking to develop their training and motivational skills, volunteering at nursing homes would be an excellent way to show your interest in working with aging populations, and organizations like Toastmasters can help refine your ability to speak clearly and confidently.
Step 4: Sharpen your resume and interview skills and start applying
No matter the job you’re applying for, taking the time to update and polish your resume will help improve your odds of getting a call back. You’ll also want to work on your interviewing skills while on your search.
As you go into your job search, understand what your preferred practice areas are—do you want to work with athletes? The elderly? People with disabilities? While it might not be practical in all locations, narrowing your search and tailoring your resume and interview answers to your preferred physical therapy specialty area can help you prioritize and focus yourself while searching.
specialize in only listing jobs for PT assistants while others list them alongside other types of jobs too!
Salary of A Physical Therapist Assistant
A physical therapist assistant earns about $27.70 an hour Median salary. However, the salary of PTA can increase due to various factors such as time, education, practice settings, and experience. It goes as high as $38.17 per hour as per BLS. However, different states have different salaries. The wages of PTA can change as depending upon the geographical location. Therefore, we have specifies the mean PTA Salary per hour and PTA salary by state:
| STATE | MEAN WAGE PER HOUR | MEAN ANNUAL WAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $26.45 | $55,020 |
| Alaska | $29.40 | $61,150 |
| Arizona | $26.48 | $55,070 |
| Arkansas | $27.17 | $56,510 |
| California | $29.22 | $60,780 |
| Colorado | $25.37 | $52,780 |
| Connecticut | $29.55 | $61,470 |
| Delaware | $27.47 | $57,140 |
| District of Columbia | $29.54 | $43,310 |
| Florida | $30.15 | $62,710 |
| Georgia | $25.95 | $53,980 |
| Hawaii | $26.90 | $55,960 |
| Idaho | $21.12 | $43,920 |
| Illinois | $27.77 | $56,220 |
| Indiana | $26.83 | $55,800 |
| Iowa | $22.88 | $47,590 |
| Kansas | $25.50 | $54,180 |
| Kentucky | $26.05 | $54,180 |
| Louisiana | $22.73 | $47,270 |
| Maine | $24.50 | $50,960 |
| Maryland | $28.15 | $58,540 |
| Massachusetts | $30.00 | $62,400 |
| Michigan | $25.77 | $53,610 |
| Minnesota | $25.65 | $53,350 |
| Mississippi | $23.27 | $48,400 |
| Missouri | $25.64 | $53,330 |
| Montana | $22.32 | $46,430 |
| Nebraska | $21.59 | $44,920 |
| Nevada | $30.40 | $63,230 |
| New Hampshire | $28.54 | $59,360 |
| New Jersey | $32.69 | $67,990 |
| New Mexico | $23.67 | $49,230 |
| New York | $26.57 | $55,260 |
| North Carolina | $28.38 | $59,030 |
| North Dakota | $22.61 | $47,020 |
| Ohio | $28.04 | $58,330 |
| Oklahoma | $29.5 | $61,350 |
| Oregon | $28.58 | $59,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $25.05 | $52,100 |
| Puerto Rico | $11.07 | $23,030 |
| Rhode Island | $29.54 | $61,450 |
| South Carolina | $26.87 | $55,900 |
| South Dakota | $19.75 | $41,080 |
| Tennessee | $28.02 | $58,280 |
| Texas | $33.87 | $70,450 |
| Utah | $24.99 | $51,990 |
| Vermont | $25.36 | $52,740 |
| Virginia | $28.60 | $59,500 |
| Washington | $27.60 | $57,420 |
| West Virginia | $23.81 | $49,520 |
| Wisconsin | $24.87 | $51,730 |
| Wyoming | $25.46 | $52,950 |
Derived out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2017 survey, the above data signifies the different PTA salaries that individual earn per hour as well as in a year. It also shows that the highest paid PTAs are in Texas, earning $33.87 per hour and $70,450 in a year, in a mean average.
