Therapy & rehabilitation
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants work under a physical therapist's direction and are directly involved in patient care.
U.S. median pay
$32.88/hr
$68,380/yr
Projected growth
+23%
2025–35
Openings per year
18,500
average, 2025–35
Typical education
Associate's degree
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
U.S. median hourly pay · BLS May 2025
$32.88
an hour · $68,380 a year
- 10th
- $22.96
- 25th
- $28.76
- Median
- $32.88
- 75th
- $37.83
- 90th
- $43.04
Hourly pay range: 10th percentile $22.96/hr, median $32.88/hr, 90th percentile $43.04/hr.
Education, licensing and how to get started
The Occupational Outlook Handbook explains the training, licensing and certification for this role. BLS: How to become one
Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapist Assistant, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 (SOC 31-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.