Physical Therapist Assistant
Help patients recover strength and movement after injuries, surgeries and illness.
- $68,380
- 2 years
Healthcare career
Physical Therapist Aide
Also called: PT Aide · Rehab Aide · Physical Therapy Technician · Therapy Tech
What physical therapist aides do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a physical therapist aide do?
Physical therapist aides help physical therapists and assistants by setting up equipment, cleaning treatment areas, helping patients move and handling clerical tasks. The median pay is $35,240 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +4.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$35,240$16.94/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year6,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–4 weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs49,000Employment, 2025
What physical therapist aides do
PT aides keep physical therapy clinics running. They set up exercise equipment, prepare hot and cold packs, clean tables, help patients move to and from treatment areas, assist with simple exercises under supervision and handle scheduling and phones.
Most PT aides have a high school diploma and learn on the job. Many are students planning to become PTs or PTAs.
Typical duties
- Set up equipment
- Clean treatment areas
- Help patients move
- Prepare hot and cold packs
- Assist with exercises under supervision
- Schedule appointments
- Stock supplies
Work environment and schedule
PT aides work in outpatient clinics, hospitals and sports medicine centers.
Schedule: Clinics often open early and stay open late.
A day in the life
- Set up the clinic.
- Prepare hot packs.
- Help a patient onto a table.
- Clean equipment between patients.
See a full day in the life of a physical therapist aide →
Physical Therapist Aide salary
Half of physical therapist aides earned more than $35,240 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $25,360 for the lowest 10% to $47,780 for the top 10%.
Full physical therapist aide pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a physical therapist aide
- Apply to clinics
- Learn the clinic
- Learn equipment
- Observe treatments
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical, plus short on-the-job training.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a physical therapist aide →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Equipment setup
- Patient transfers
- Exercise basics
- Infection control
- Scheduling
People skills
- Friendliness
- Reliability
- Teamwork
- Energy
All physical therapist aide skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Quick entry
- Learn about therapy careers
- Active job
- Friendly clinics
Cons
- Modest pay
- Limited patient care tasks
- Physical work
- Laundry and cleaning
Certifications and licenses
- CPR: Basic life support.
- Safe patient handling: Lifting training.
- Physical therapy aide certificate: Optional.
- First aid: Emergency care.
Career path
- PT Aide: Support therapy.
- Rehab Technician: More duties.
- Physical Therapist Assistant: With a degree.
- Physical Therapist: With a DPT.
Learn the job before day one
Our Physical Therapist Aide training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as prepare a hot pack and clean a treatment table, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Physical Therapist
Help people recover movement and manage pain after injury or illness.
- $102,760
- 7 years after high school
Occupational Therapy Aide
Prepare therapy areas and help occupational therapy teams.
- $39,160
- 1–4 weeks
Athletic Trainer
Prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries for athletes and active people.
- $62,520
- Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s
Compare: PT Aide vs. PT Assistant · PT Aide vs. PT · PT Aide vs. OT Aide · PT Aide vs. Athletic Trainer
Physical Therapist Aide FAQ
Do PT aides need certification?
Not usually.
What’s the difference between a PT aide and a PTA?
PTAs are licensed and provide treatment; aides support under supervision.
Is this a path to PT school?
Yes, many future PTs start as aides.
How much does a physical therapist aide make?
The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $35,240 ($16.94 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $25,360 and the highest 10% earned more than $47,780.
How long does it take to become a physical therapist aide?
Most people need about 1–4 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical, plus short on-the-job training.
Do you need a degree to be a physical therapist aide?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More physical therapist aide questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 31-2022 (Physical therapist aides).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Physical therapist aides (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.