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
SOC: 31-2021 O*NET: 31-2021.00
Median Salary
$65,510
per year
Job Growth
🚀 22%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
19.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Physical Therapist Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$46,020
10th percentile
Early Career
$58,240
25th percentile
Median
$65,510
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,270
75th percentile
Top Earners
$87,630
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$46,020
25th
$58,240
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$65,510
Mean: $67,160
75th
$77,270
90th
$87,630
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $41,610 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $58,240 and $77,270
- •Salary spread is 29.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 108,010 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:111,500
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services65%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners46.7%
Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists45.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+22%
Annual Openings:19,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)111,500
Current
2034 (Projected)136,000
+22%
+24,500
Employment Change
+22%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Physical Therapist Assistants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
11,230 jobs$76,2501.16x
Florida
9,410 jobs$66,1001.37x
California
8,430 jobs$79,4100.67x
Ohio
6,530 jobs$62,1401.69x
Pennsylvania
4,410 jobs$61,6101.05x
Illinois
4,320 jobs$64,6301.02x
Michigan
4,060 jobs$59,5101.32x
New York
3,850 jobs$64,6600.58x
Virginia
3,340 jobs$73,9001.17x
Tennessee
3,140 jobs$62,9201.37x
North Carolina
3,080 jobs$63,9300.90x
Alabama
2,550 jobs$60,8901.74x
Kentucky
2,540 jobs$62,4001.82x
Georgia
2,460 jobs$71,5300.72x
Massachusetts
2,380 jobs$77,7800.93x
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
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Therapy and Counseling
92%
#6
Oral Comprehension
92%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#8
English Language
82%
#9
Speech Recognition
82%
#10
Monitoring
80%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Therapy and Counseling
advanced4.6
92%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
English Language
intermediate4.1
82%
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
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Therapy and Counseling
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance82%
knowledge
4.1/5.0
Speech Recognition
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Interpreters and Translators100%
5 shared skills
Massage Therapists100%
5 shared skills
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
- →Psychology
- →Medicine and Dentistry
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Therapy and Counseling
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 Assistants
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
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
HIGH
👥
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 high 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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (3)Planning & Development (2)Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (9)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (3)
1
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •33% 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 Assistants
💡 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 Assistants 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 Assistants
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.80
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.79
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.63
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.61
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.52
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.44
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.8
Integrity
4.8
Cooperation
4.6
Self-Control
4.6
Concern for Others
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Independence
4.2
Social Orientation
4.2
💡 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
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Physical Therapist Assistants.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Physical Therapist Assistants
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
11.1k program completions/year
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
2.2k program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
1.8k program completions/year
Hondros College of Nursing
Columbus, OH
1.7k program completions/year
Northwest Career College
Las Vegas, NV
1.5k program completions/year
Mountainland Technical College
Lehi, UT
1.4k program completions/year
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI
1.3k program completions/year
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI
1.3k program completions/year
College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL
1.3k program completions/year
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, GA
1.2k program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
1.2k program completions/year
American Career College-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
1.2k program completions/year
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