Medical Assistant
Room patients, take vitals, give injections and keep clinic records accurate.
- $45,690
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Healthcare career
Physical Therapist Assistant
Also called: PTA · Physical Therapy Assistant · Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant · Rehab Assistant
What physical therapist assistants 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 assistant do?
Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of physical therapists to carry out treatment plans, guiding patients through exercises, gait training and other therapy to restore movement and reduce pain. The median pay is $68,380 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +23.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$68,380$32.88/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+23.0%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year18,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs114,100Employment, 2025
What physical therapist assistants do
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) spend most of their day working directly with patients. After a physical therapist evaluates a patient and writes a plan of care, the PTA leads treatment sessions: therapeutic exercise, balance and gait training, stretching, modalities and teaching home exercise programs. PTAs track progress and report to the therapist.
PTAs complete a two-year associate degree accredited by CAPTE, pass the National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs and meet state licensing rules. It is one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers, with jobs in outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing and rehab facilities, schools and home health.
Typical duties
- Carry out treatment plans written by the physical therapist
- Lead therapeutic exercise and stretching sessions
- Train patients in walking, transfers and assistive devices
- Apply modalities such as heat, ice and electrical stimulation
- Teach home exercise programs
- Measure and document patient progress
- Communicate changes to the supervising physical therapist
Work environment and schedule
PTAs work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing and rehab facilities, schools and patients’ homes. The job is physical: you stand, kneel, lift and guard patients for much of the day.
Schedule: Most PTAs work full-time weekdays. Outpatient clinics often have early morning and evening hours, and hospitals and nursing facilities may include weekends.
A day in the life
- Review the day’s patients, plans of care and notes from the physical therapist.
- Lead a post-knee replacement patient through range-of-motion and strengthening exercises.
- Do balance training with an older adult who has had several falls.
- Teach a patient to use crutches safely on stairs.
See a full day in the life of a physical therapist assistant →
Physical Therapist Assistant salary
Half of physical therapist assistants earned more than $68,380 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,750 for the lowest 10% to $89,510 for the top 10%.
Full physical therapist assistant pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a physical therapist assistant
- Complete prerequisites
- Graduate from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program
- Pass the NPTE for PTAs
- Get licensed
- Build expertise
PTAs need an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Programs usually take about two years, including clinical rotations, followed by the NPTE for PTAs.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a physical therapist assistant →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Therapeutic exercise
- Gait and transfer training
- Modalities application
- Patient guarding and safety
- SOAP note documentation
People skills
- Encouragement and motivation
- Patience
- Clear instruction
- Teamwork with the PT
All physical therapist assistant skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast job growth
- See patients improve week by week
- Associate degree leads to solid pay
- Active, hands-on workday
Cons
- Physically demanding lifting and guarding
- Heavy documentation
- Limited advancement without more school
- Patients may be in pain or discouraged
Certifications and licenses
- State PTA license or certification: Required in every state.
- National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs: The national exam administered by the FSBPT.
- CPR/BLS: Required by most employers.
- APTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways: Recognition for advanced skills in areas such as orthopedics or geriatrics.
Career path
- PTA Student or Rehab Aide: Learn treatment basics and clinical skills.
- Physical Therapist Assistant: Treat patients in clinics, hospitals or home health.
- Senior PTA or Clinical Instructor: Specialize, mentor students and lead treatment teams.
- Rehab Director or Physical Therapist: Manage rehab programs or go back to school for a DPT.
Learn the job before day one
Our Physical Therapist Assistant training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as guard a patient during gait training and teach a home exercise program, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: PT Assistant vs. Medical Assistant · PT Assistant vs. CNA · PT Assistant vs. Personal Trainer · PT Assistant vs. Athletic Trainer
Physical Therapist Assistant FAQ
What’s the difference between a PT and a PTA?
Physical therapists evaluate patients and create treatment plans, and they need a doctorate. PTAs carry out treatment under the PT’s direction with an associate degree.
How long does it take to become a PTA?
About two years for an accredited associate degree, plus the national exam.
Is a PTA the same as a physical therapy aide?
No. Aides help with setup and cleaning and train on the job, while PTAs are licensed clinicians who treat patients.
How much does a physical therapist assistant make?
The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $68,380 ($32.88 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,750 and the highest 10% earned more than $89,510.
How long does it take to become a physical therapist assistant?
Most people need about 2 years of training. PTAs need an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Programs usually take about two years, including clinical rotations, followed by the NPTE for PTAs.
Do you need a degree to be a physical therapist assistant?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.
More physical therapist assistant questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 31-2021 (Physical therapist assistants).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Physical therapist assistants (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.