Career comparison
Physical Therapist Aide vs. Physical Therapist Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Physical therapist assistants earn more at the median ($68,380 vs. $35,240), while physical therapist aides usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Physical therapist aides help physical therapy teams set up, clean and keep patients moving. Physical therapist assistants help patients recover strength and movement after injuries, surgeries and illness.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Physical Therapist Aide | Physical Therapist Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $35,240 ($16.94/hr) | $68,380 ($32.88/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $25,360 – $47,780 | $47,750 – $89,510 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | +23.0% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 6,400 | 18,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | 2 years |
| Key credential | CPR | State PTA license or certification |
| Work setting | PT aides work in outpatient clinics, hospitals and sports medicine centers.. | PTAs work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing and rehab facilities, schools and patients’ homes. |
What each job does
Physical Therapist Aide
- Set up equipment
- Clean treatment areas
- Help patients move
- Prepare hot and cold packs
- Assist with exercises under supervision
Physical Therapist Assistant
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, physical work, indoor work, and teamwork. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose physical therapist aide if…
- I like fitness and health
- I want to explore PT
- I’m friendly
Choose physical therapist assistant if…
- I like helping people get better over time
- I enjoy exercise and how the body moves
- I’m encouraging when people struggle
Still torn? Take the Physical Therapist Aide fit quiz and the Physical Therapist Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, physical therapist aide or physical therapist assistant?
Physical Therapist Assistants earn more at the median: $68,380 versus $35,240 for physical therapist aides, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Physical Therapist Aides typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than physical therapist assistants (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects physical therapist assistants to grow +23.0% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for physical therapist aides.