How much does a PT assistant make?
a year · about $33 an hour
A typical PT assistant in the United States makes $68,380 a year, about $33 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A PT assistant guides a patient through planned exercises and stretches, and may help them practice walking with a walker. They watch how the patient responds, record progress, and report it to the physical therapist.
Did you know? PT assistants may help patients of every age—from newborns to people at the end of life.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $47,750 and $89,510How do you become one?
After high school, complete an accredited physical therapist assistant associate-degree program, usually about two years, including supervised clinical practice. Then pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs and meet your state's licensing or certification rules.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like helping and teaching and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, PT assistant pay can vary with experience, education, location, and whether someone works in a clinic, hospital, or another setting. Full-time or part-time hours and evening or weekend schedules can also change total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($83,110), lowest in Oklahoma ($59,480).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $47,750 | $68,380 | $89,510 | about 112,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $83,110 | about 9,000 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 | about 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 | about 2,000 |
| Texas | $78,000 | about 11,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm
- www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/becoming-a-pta
- www.apta.org/your-practice/licensure/national-physical-therapy-examination
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-2021.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY