Physical Therapy Assistant: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Physical Therapy Assistants earn a national median of $65,510/yr with 22% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Therapy and Counseling, English Language.

Median Salary

$65,510

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

22%

Much faster than average

Employed Nationally

108,010

2024 data

Typical Education

Associate's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Physical Therapy Assistant

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Physical Therapy Assistant candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Speaking 3 Monitoring 4 Social Perceptiveness 5 Reading Comprehension 6 Writing 7 Critical Thinking 8 Active Learning 9 Service Orientation 10 Coordination

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Physical Therapy Assistant performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service Therapy and Counseling English Language Education and Training Psychology

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Physical Therapy Assistant roles.

eClinicalWorks EHR software

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 22% for Physical Therapy Assistant roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's much faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
108,010
Projected Growth
22%
Typical Education
Associate's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Physical Therapy Assistant do?
Physical Therapy Assistants apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Therapy and Counseling, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness.
How much does a Physical Therapy Assistant make?
The national median salary for a Physical Therapy Assistant is $65,510 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Physical Therapy Assistant a good career in 2026?
Employment for Physical Therapy Assistant roles is projected to grow 22% over the 2024–2034 decade — much faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 108,010 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Physical Therapy Assistant?
The typical entry-level education for a Physical Therapy Assistant is Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Physical Therapy Assistants need?
The most important skills for Physical Therapy Assistant roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Service Orientation, Coordination. Key tools and technologies include: eClinicalWorks EHR software.

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Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.