Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training. PayThe median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $35,240 in May 2025.The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $68,380 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 17 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 24,900 openings for physical therapist assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapist assistants and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapist assistants and aides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about physical therapist assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $35,240 in May 2025.The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $68,380 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 17 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 24,900 openings for physical therapist assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapist assistants and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapist assistants and aides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about physical therapist assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 17 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 24,900 openings for physical therapist assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapist assistants and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapist assistants and aides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about physical therapist assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Physical therapist assistants and aides are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses.
Work Environment
Most physical therapist assistants and aides work in physical therapists’ offices or in hospitals. They are frequently on their feet as they set up equipment and help care for patients.
How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant or Aide
Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.
Pay
The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $35,240 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $68,380 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 17 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 24,900 openings for physical therapist assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapist assistants and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapist assistants and aides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about physical therapist assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most physical therapist assistants and aides work in physical therapists’ offices or in hospitals. They are frequently on their feet as they set up equipment and help care for patients.
How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant or Aide
Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.
Pay
The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $35,240 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $68,380 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 17 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 24,900 openings for physical therapist assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapist assistants and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapist assistants and aides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about physical therapist assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapist assistants and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapist assistants and aides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about physical therapist assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about physical therapist assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.