How Much Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Make? (2025)
Understanding the physical therapist assistant salary is important for job seekers and employers to ensure fair compensation and make informed decisions.
In 2025, the average annual compensation for a physical therapist assistant in the US is $65,203. Furthermore, the salary for this role is expected to rise by 19% between 2023 and 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is greater than the average for all occupations. This indicates strong job growth in the healthcare sector.
This guide provides everything you need to know about the physical therapist assistant role, including salary expectations, factors affecting compensation, and answers to frequently asked questions.
What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?
The physical therapist assistant helps one or more physical therapists with patient assessments, examinations, and treatments. They execute treatment plans as directed, including exercises, stretches, hands-on therapy, and equipment, and get patients and equipment ready for therapy. They also keep track of the patient's response to therapy and give the licensed physical therapist status updates at the conclusion of each session.
Their role supports patient care across different healthcare settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. Physical therapist assistants may also work in specialized areas like neurology, where they help patients regain movement and manage pain caused by nervous system conditions.
Typically, a physical therapist assistant requires a bachelor's degree. A state physical therapy assistant licensure is required. They usually submit a report to a physical therapist. The primary prerequisite for the role is certification and/or license in the field of expertise.
What is Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Overview?
As of August 21, 2025, the physical therapist assistant average salary in the United States is $65,203 per year or $31 per hour.
Based on Salary.com, the physical therapist assistant salary range is between $49,919 to $71,890 per year, with most earning between $57,203 and $68,703. The physical therapist assistant salary per month is $5,434 on average, with monthly pay ranging from $4,767 to $5,725.
Physical therapist assistants typically earn an average of $31 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $28 to $33. The average weekly salary for a physical therapist assistant is $1,254, with weekly pay ranging from $1,100 to $1,321.
2025 Physical Therapist Assistant Average Salary: $65,203 per year ($31 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for physical therapist assistants is $68,103 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $56,067 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,803 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $68,103 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,003 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,285 |
The average total compensation for physical therapist assistants is $96,242, according to Salary.com. The total compensation package includes benefits like time off ($8,381), healthcare ($6,056), and Social Security ($5,210), which make up 20.7% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $65,203 | 68.5% |
| Bonus | $2,900 | 3.0% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $5,210 | 5.5% |
| 401K/403B | $3,201 | 3.4% |
| Disability | $545 | 0.6% |
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 6.4% |
| Pension | $3,746 | 3.9% |
| Time Off | $8,382 | 8.8% |
| Total Compensation | $95,242 | 100% |
What Can Affect Physical Therapist Assistant Salaries?
The physical therapist assistant salary is influenced by several factors, including experience, location, education, and industry demand. Below is a breakdown of how these factors can impact earnings:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level physical therapist assistants with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $63,870 per year. While physical therapist assistants with over eight years of experience can expect to earn an average salary of $67,131 per year.
| Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,870 |
| Intermediate Level Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,407 |
| Senior Level Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,870 |
| Specialist Level Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,027 |
| Expert Level Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,131 |
By Geographic Location
The salary of physical therapist assistants in the United States varies by location due to factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
The highest paying cities are San Jose, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Oakland, CA. The average salary for physical therapist assistants in these cities is $82,203, $81,403, and $79,603 per year, while other cities like New York, NY, and Queens Village, NY offer lower average salaries at $75,503 and $75,003, respectively.
| City | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $72,103 | $82,203 | $86,603 |
| San Francisco, CA | $71,403 | $81,403 | $85,703 |
| Oakland, CA | $69,803 | $79,603 | $83,803 |
| New York, NY | $66,303 | $75,503 | $79,603 |
| Queens Village, NY | $65,903 | $75,003 | $79,003 |
By Skills
High-demand skills contribute to salary increases for physical therapist assistants. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a physical therapist assistant earns a 9.56% salary increase with exercise physiology skills, while those with therapeutic care expertise can receive a 9.00% increase. The demand for these skills is 10.30% and 10.60%, respectively.
Additional skills that can increase the salary of Physical Therapist Assistants include:
| Skill | Salary Growth | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | +9.56% | 10.30% |
| Therapeutic Care | +9.00% | 10.60% |
| Athletic Training | +8.57% | 10.80% |
| Safety, Injury Prevention, and Emergency Procedures | +8.27% | 10.50% |
| Exercise Prescription and Programming | +8.12% | 10.40% |
By Education
Educational qualifications can have a significant impact on physical therapist assistant salary. The most common educational background for physical therapist assistants includes an associate's degree, held by 69.5% of professionals in the role. A smaller percentage holds a master's degree (3.1%). Many pursue a PTA program, which includes both classroom instruction and clinical education components.
| Degree Level | % of Physical Therapist Assistants with This Level of Education |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 4.9% |
| Associate's Degree | 69.5% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 21.5% |
| Master's Degree | 3.1% |
| Doctorate's Degree | 0.9% |
How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
Here's how to become a physical therapist assistant:
- Earn an associate's degree: A license or certification and an associate's degree from an accredited institution are normally prerequisites for entry into the field of physical therapy assistants.
- Get the necessary licenses: According to BLS, physical therapist assistants must hold a license or certification in every state. To obtain a license, a physical therapist assistant must typically complete an accredited program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam. To maintain their license, physical therapist assistants might also need to enroll in continuing education classes.
- Gain experience: During supervised clinical practice, assistants obtain invaluable hands-on experience by applying their academic knowledge to actual scenarios. During training, they learn essential skills through on-the-job training, simulation labs, and supervised internships that build their ability to perform required tasks effectively. Programs also cover essential certifications such as basic life support. These are done with the supervision of a professional.
- Apply for physical therapist assistant roles: Once you have the required experience and skills, start applying for physical therapist assistant roles and begin your career. Highlight the certifications and training you have earned as this shows your experience in the field.
What are the FAQs about Physical Therapist Assistant Salary?
Here are the common questions about the physical therapist assistant salary:
What is the average physical therapist assistant salary?
The average salary of a physical therapist assistant in the United States as of August 21, 2025, is $65,203 per year. The salary typically ranges from $57,203 to $68,703, depending on factors like experience, location, and company size.
What is the highest pay for a physical therapist assistant?
The highest physical therapist assistant salary is $71,890 per year, or about $35 per hour. This higher salary is typically offered to physical therapist assistants with significant experience, advanced skills, and expertise. It can also reflect positions in high-cost living areas or with large companies that require more complex financial and risk management.
What is the lowest pay for a Physical Therapist Assistant?
The lowest physical therapist assistant salary is $49,919 per year, or approximately $24 per hour. This typically applies to entry-level positions or roles in areas with lower costs of living, or to companies with smaller financial operations.
