Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistants
SOC 31-2021
How Much Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Make?
The national median salary for a Physical Therapist Assistant is $65,510 per year ($31.50/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's roughly in line with the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate's from accredited PTA program (2yr)
NPTE-PTA exam + state license
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Outlook
Much faster than avg — the BLS projects 22% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's significantly faster than the average across all occupations (4%).
About 18,800 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Aging population; rehab demand; cost-effective care delivery
What It's Like to Work as a Physical Therapist Assistant
This role involves significant physical labor.
This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov