Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Physical Therapist Assistant
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring physical therapist assistants, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $68,380), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify State PTA license or certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for physical therapist assistants
There are about 114,100 physical therapist assistants employed in the U.S., with roughly 18,500 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +23.0% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $47,750–$59,820 | $22.96–$28.76 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $89,510 | $43.03 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Associate's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Therapeutic exercise
- Encouragement and motivation
Nice-to-haves
- State PTA license or certification
- National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs
- CPR/BLS
- Experience with gait belts and parallel bars
Where to find physical therapist assistants
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: PTA, Physical Therapy Assistant, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, Rehab Assistant
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “How do you motivate a patient who doesn’t want to exercise?”
What a strong answer includes: Show empathy, connect exercises to the patient’s goals and celebrate progress.
2. “What would you do if a patient reports new chest pain?”
What a strong answer includes: Stop treatment, check vitals, follow emergency procedures and notify the PT.
3. “How do you work within the PT’s plan of care?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain progressing within the plan and communicating changes.
4. “Describe your documentation habits.”
What a strong answer includes: Mention timely, objective SOAP notes.
5. “Which settings interest you most?”
What a strong answer includes: Name outpatient, inpatient, pediatrics or geriatrics and why.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Guard a Patient During Gait Training (see the steps)
- Teach a Home Exercise Program (see the steps)
- Write a SOAP Note (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Plan of care, ROM, AROM and PROM
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Physical Therapist Assistant 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Physical Therapist Assistant training. Show them the path forward: PTA Student or Rehab Aide → Physical Therapist Assistant → Senior PTA or Clinical Instructor → Rehab Director or Physical Therapist.
Hiring physical therapist assistants: FAQ
How much should I pay a physical therapist assistant?
The U.S. median wage for physical therapist assistants is $68,380 per year ($32.88/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($59,820), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($78,680). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a physical therapist assistant have?
BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for State PTA license or certification and National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs where relevant, plus skills such as therapeutic exercise, gait and transfer training, and modalities application.
How long does it take to train a new physical therapist assistant?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2 years. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”