Salary guide
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What physical therapist assistants earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median physical therapist assistant salary in the U.S. is $68,380 per year, or $32.88 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $47,750, while the top 10% earned more than $89,510.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Physical Therapist Assistant pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,750 | $22.96 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $59,820 | $28.76 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $68,380 | $32.88 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $78,680 | $37.83 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $89,510 | $43.03 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $59,820 | $68,380 | $78,680 |
| Per month | $4,985 | $5,698 | $6,557 |
| Every two weeks | $2,301 | $2,630 | $3,026 |
| Per week | $1,150 | $1,315 | $1,513 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects physical therapist assistant pay
- Work setting (hospitals and outpatient care centers often pay more than physician offices or nursing homes)
- Shift differentials for nights, weekends and holidays
- Credentials such as national certification or state licensure
- Specialty experience (surgery, cardiology, oncology, pediatrics)
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a physical therapist assistant
- Get credentialed: State PTA license or certification, National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs, CPR/BLS.
- Build specialty experience: Treat patients in clinics, hospitals or home health.
- Move up: roles such as senior pta or clinical instructor and rehab director or physical therapist typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Physical Therapist Assistant pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of physical therapist assistants to change by +23.0% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 18,500 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 31-2021 (“Physical therapist assistants”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary FAQ
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour?
The median hourly wage for physical therapist assistants was $32.88 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $22.96 and the top 10% earned about $43.03 or more.
How much does a physical therapist assistant make a month?
At the median annual wage of $68,380, that works out to about $5,698 per month before taxes, or about $2,630 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a physical therapist assistant?
New physical therapist assistants often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $47,750 and the 25th percentile was $59,820 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can physical therapist assistants earn more?
Common ways include earning State PTA license or certification and National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior pta or clinical instructor.
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.