Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Guide: How Much Do PTAs Make?
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- Physical therapy assistants earned a median annual salary of $62,770.
- Salaries vary based on a physical therapist's industry, location, and experience level.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster than average job growth for physical therapy assistants from 2022-2032.
Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) are involved in the direct care of patients in various healthcare settings. PTAs work under the supervision of physical therapists to help patients regain their range of motion after surgery or illness.
Physical therapy assistants must possess associate degrees from accredited programs. All 50 states require certification or licenses to practice. Learn more about physical therapy assistant salaries and how to increase your earning potential.
What Is the Average Physical Therapy Assistant Salary?
Physical therapy assistants make an average annual salary of $64,510 or $31 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salaries for PTAs range from $43,340- $85,230 per year, depending on their work setting, experience, and certifications.
The highest-paid PTAs work with older adults in home health, skilled nursing, or assisted living facilities. If you want to work in these settings, wound care or geriatrics certifications may help you increase your salary potential.
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How Much Do Physical Therapy Assistants Make By State?
Physical therapy assistants earned the highest salaries in California, Texas, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. They earn over $70,000 on average in these states, according to the BLS.
Some of the lowest paying states include South Dakota and New Mexico, paying physical therapists around $50,000 in average annual salary.
When considering salaries, assessing your specific industry and location is essential. Some states that pay well have higher costs of living than the national average. Pay ranges also vary drastically between specific sectors.
View salary data for all states
| Area Name | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27.81 | $57,840 |
| Alaska | $28.83 | $59,960 |
| Arizona | $30.23 | $62,880 |
| Arkansas | $30.87 | $64,210 |
| California | $37.94 | $78,920 |
| Colorado | $29.84 | $62,070 |
| Connecticut | $33.53 | $69,730 |
| Delaware | $30.32 | $63,060 |
| District of Columbia | $29.21 | $60,750 |
| Florida | $31.84 | $66,220 |
| Georgia | $31.58 | $65,680 |
| Hawaii | $30.85 | $64,160 |
| Idaho | $27.05 | $56,260 |
| Illinois | $31.35 | $65,210 |
| Indiana | $28.44 | $59,160 |
| Iowa | $27.54 | $57,290 |
| Kansas | $28.91 | $60,130 |
| Kentucky | $27.89 | $58,010 |
| Louisiana | $28.03 | $58,300 |
| Maine | $28.15 | $58,550 |
| Maryland | $31.03 | $64,550 |
| Massachusetts | $33.81 | $70,330 |
| Michigan | $26.42 | $54,950 |
| Minnesota | $28.32 | $58,900 |
| Mississippi | $29.46 | $61,270 |
| Missouri | $31.07 | $64,620 |
| Montana | $27.03 | $56,220 |
| Nebraska | $26.97 | $56,110 |
| Nevada | $31.68 | $65,890 |
| New Hampshire | $30.66 | $63,770 |
| New Jersey | $34.75 | $72,280 |
| New Mexico | $25.94 | $53,950 |
| New York | $30.09 | $62,590 |
| North Carolina | $30.37 | $63,180 |
| North Dakota | $26.52 | $55,160 |
| Ohio | $30.79 | $64,050 |
| Oklahoma | $27.74 | $57,690 |
| Oregon | $30.55 | $63,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $27.13 | $56,430 |
| Puerto Rico | $11.88 | $24,720 |
| Rhode Island | $31.74 | $66,030 |
| South Carolina | $30.45 | $63,330 |
| South Dakota | $23.67 | $49,240 |
| Tennessee | $29.63 | $61,620 |
| Texas | $35.47 | $73,770 |
| Utah | $29.80 | $61,990 |
| Vermont | $30.56 | $63,560 |
| Virginia | $29.46 | $61,270 |
| Washington | $30.30 | $63,010 |
| West Virginia | $28.16 | $58,580 |
| Wisconsin | $28.24 | $58,730 |
| Wyoming | $27.68 | $57,570 |
Where Can I Make the Most Money as a Physical Therapy Assistant?
Highest-Paying States for Physical Therapy Assistants
The states that pay physical therapy assistants the most often also employ large numbers of these professionals. California and Texas are prime examples. PTAs also tend to earn higher wages in states with higher living costs, such as California.
| State | Hourly Mean Salary | Annual Mean Salary (May 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| California | $37.94 | $78,920 |
| Texas | $35.47 | $73,770 |
| New Jersey | $34.75 | $72,280 |
| Massachusetts | $33.81 | $70,330 |
| Connecticut | $33.53 | $69,730 |
Highest-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Physical Therapy Assistants
All five highest-paying metropolitan areas for physical therapy assistants are in California — one of the most expensive states in the U.S.
Big urban areas typically employ more PTAs because larger populations mean more demand for services. While those locations may offer more opportunities, they also have higher housing, food, and healthcare costs than smaller, more rural areas.
| Metropolitan Area | Hourly Mean Salary | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $45.61 | $94,860 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $43.03 | $89,510 |
| Sacramento—Roseville—Arden-Arcade, CA | $38.82 | $80,740 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $38.49 | $80,060 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $38.27 | $79,600 |
Highest-Paying Nonmetropolitan Areas for Physical Therapy Assistants
Nonmetropolitan areas usually pay less than cities because they are less populated and have a lower demand for physical therapist assistants.
However, you may find higher-than-average salaries in some non-metropolitan areas in three of the top-paying states: Massachusetts, Texas, and California.
| Nonmetropolitan Area | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Salary (May 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Border Region of Texas | $36.01 | $74,900 |
| Big Thicket Region of Texas | $35.99 | $74,860 |
| Massachusetts | $35.24 | $73,300 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California | $34.64 | $72,060 |
| Coastal Plains Region of Texas | $34.43 | $71,610 |
Highest-Paying Industries for Physical Therapy Assistants
Salaries for physical therapy assistants also vary significantly among industries. While the largest concentration of these professionals worked in healthcare providers’ offices in 2022, other settings often paid more.
Home healthcare services, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities pay higher salaries on average. These settings are facing a severe shortage of employees. According to the American Health Care Association, 87% of nursing home providers face moderate to high staffing shortages.
| Industry | Hourly Mean Salary | Annual Mean Salary (May 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health Care Services | $37.67 | $78,360 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $35.18 | $73,180 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $35 | $72,800 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $34.47 | $71,700 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $33.46 | $69,600 |
How Can I Increase My Salary as a Physical Therapy Assistant?
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1
Choose a Specialty
Since PTAs provide various services to different populations, many choose to specialize to increase their career opportunities. Popular specialties include geriatrics, orthopedics, and pediatrics.
Some workers can specialize their skills with on-the-job training. PTAs can join teams working within their desired specialties or seek jobs offering specific care. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) runs the PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program to increase students' knowledge and skills in specific areas, including specialties that pay higher-than-average, such as neurology, pediatrics, geriatrics, and wound care.
-
2
Obtain Certification
Certifications can increase physical therapy assistants' earning potential by teaching them skills that can help them stand out to employers and do their jobs more effectively. Physical therapy assistants may earn certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support, or first-aid skills.
-
3
Consider Relocating
If you want to increase your salary, consider moving to a state where physical therapy assistants earn more than the national average. California, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut pay PTAs higher than average salaries in the U.S..
However, most of these states pay higher wages to offset higher costs of living. Texas is the only one of these states with a cost of living index lower than the U.S. average.
-
4
Change Industries
PTA salaries can vary dramatically between industries. If you wish to increase your salary, securing a job at a nursing care facility, assisted living center, or home healthcare facility might boost your wages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Therapy Assistant Salary
Is it worth it to be a physical therapy assistant?
Physical therapy assistant jobs can be rewarding, and the field is in demand. The BLS projects that physical therapist assistant and aide jobs will grow 19% from 2022-2032, much faster than average.
Which physical therapy assistant jobs pay the most?
Physical therapy assistants working in home health or in a skilled nursing or assisted living facility are generally paid more than those working in a healthcare provider's office.
Physical therapy assistants also earn higher salaries in certain states, such as Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California.
All of the highest-paying metropolitan areas for PTAs are in California. Three of Texas's nonmetropolitan areas also pay PTAs more than average.
How can a physical therapy assistant make more money?
PTAs can increase their earning potential in a few ways. Location, industry, and education all play roles in determining compensation.
Some states pay PTAs much higher average salaries than others. Relocating to one of those states can increase your earnings. But moving comes with the possibility of higher expenses, so do your research before making any commitments.
Many employers value career-related achievements, including certifications and specializations. Knowledge of CPR, basic first-aid, or massage therapy may help you excel in your job and catch the eye of future employers.
You can also boost your earning potential by choosing a specialty like geriatrics, pediatrics, or orthopedics.
What states pay physical therapy assistants the most?
In 2022, physical therapy assistants enjoyed the highest annual average salaries in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, and Connecticut.
Salary numbers do not always show the whole picture, as cost of living figures can dramatically change the amount of money you need to live comfortably. Texas, for instance, has a low cost of living and pays PTAs higher-than-average wages.
What is the highest salary a physical therapy assistant can make?
The highest-paid physical therapy assistants earn over $85,230 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, it is difficult to determine the highest salary you could make per year as a physical therapy assistant because many factors, including education, location, and industry, contribute to your earning potential.
Page last reviewed on October 16, 2023
