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 Aides
SOC: 31-2022 O*NET: 31-2022.00
Median Salary
$34,520
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Physical Therapist Aides do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$24,960
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,710
25th percentile
Median
$34,520
50th percentile
Experienced
$38,240
75th percentile
Top Earners
$46,930
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$24,960
25th
$29,710
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$34,520
Mean: $35,510
75th
$38,240
90th
$46,930
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $21,970 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,710 and $38,240
- •Salary spread is 24.7% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 44,010 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:45,600
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services77.8%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners67.2%
Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists66.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.8%
Annual Openings:6,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)45,600
Current
2034 (Projected)46,900
+2.8%
+1,300
Employment Change
+2.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Physical Therapist Aides professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
6,800 jobs$36,2901.32x
Texas
4,170 jobs$32,0501.06x
New York
4,080 jobs$34,9701.50x
New Jersey
2,140 jobs$35,9201.77x
Arizona
1,840 jobs$34,9102.02x
Michigan
1,560 jobs$30,1601.24x
Louisiana
1,510 jobs$21,6002.77x
Florida
1,260 jobs$33,5200.45x
Georgia
1,160 jobs$30,9200.84x
Virginia
1,050 jobs$28,8400.91x
Maryland
1,030 jobs$31,3701.31x
Pennsylvania
980 jobs$36,4200.57x
Oregon
920 jobs$35,8801.63x
Indiana
900 jobs$29,0200.99x
Missouri
900 jobs$28,3401.08x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Service Orientation
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Medical Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Phlebotomists100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Speaking
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Physical Therapist Aides
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Management & Supervision (1)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Record treatment given and equipment used.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Physical Therapist Aides
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Physical Therapist Aides professionals typically have a SRC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Physical Therapist Aides
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.71
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.61
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.60
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.55
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.46
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.38
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.7
Cooperation
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Self-Control
4.2
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Initiative
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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