Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Physical therapist assistants support therapeutic care and work in a field that combines hands-on activity with person-to-person interaction. National employment stands at 112,000, indicating an established occupation with a sizable workforce. The national median annual salary of $65,510 and a projected employment growth rate of 22.0% suggest strong overall prospects. With about 20,000 annual openings, there are frequent opportunities for new entrants as well as experienced professionals seeking a change. The role draws on a mix of interpersonal skills, physical strength and stamina, science knowledge, and problem solving. It can appeal to people who enjoy direct contact with patients or clients, using speaking and listening skills and customer service to support others. Creativity, adaptability, and attention to detail also play a part, supported by some mechanical aptitude. For those interested in healthcare support roles that blend physical activity with interpersonal work, physical therapist assisting offers a solid, growing career path.
The national median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is $65,510, providing a clear benchmark for earnings in this field. Pay levels vary by location, and several states offer higher median salaries than the national figure. For example, California has a median salary of $83,110, and Massachusetts reports $79,460. Among metro areas, pay can be even higher: the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro shows a median salary of $97,190, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro reports $95,920. Other large metros such as New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV also post median salaries above the national median. These differences highlight how choosing certain states or metro areas can significantly influence earning potential for physical therapist assistants, especially in parts of California and major East Coast metros.
Physical therapist assistants have a solid overall employment footprint and strong projected growth. National employment is 112,000, reflecting a well-established occupation across the country. Looking ahead, projected employment growth of 22.0% indicates that the number of positions is expected to rise substantially. In addition to growth, there are about 20,000 annual openings, which include new roles created as well as positions that become available as people change jobs or leave the workforce. This combination of a sizable existing workforce, relatively high projected growth, and frequent openings suggests ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced workers. Individuals considering this career can expect an expanding job market, with opportunities dispersed nationally rather than confined to a narrow niche. For those already in related healthcare support roles, these figures may make physical therapist assisting a compelling option to explore.
Location can significantly shape the opportunity profile for physical therapist assistants. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $83,110, employment of 9,400, and a CareerGPS opportunity score of 67.38, the highest among the listed states. Massachusetts follows with a median salary of $79,460 and an opportunity score of 65.87, while New York offers a median salary of $64,100 and a similar opportunity score of 65.78. Colorado and Washington also provide opportunity scores above 56, with median salaries around the mid-$60,000s. At the metro level, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area combines a median salary of $97,190 with the highest listed opportunity score of 77.42. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro is close behind with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $75,620. Other metros such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer strong mixes of salary and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for physical therapist assistants is an associate's degree, making this a healthcare career that is accessible without a bachelor's or graduate degree. While the specific program details can vary by school, success in this field clearly draws on a defined skill set. Interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and customer service are central, reflecting the importance of working effectively with patients or clients. Physical strength and stamina are important, aligning with the more physically active aspects of the work. Science skills support understanding of therapeutic concepts, while problem solving, decision making, and attention to detail contribute to safe and effective support. Adaptability and creativity and innovation can help in responding to different situations, and mechanical skills round out the profile. Together, the associate’s degree plus these core skills create a pathway into a hands-on, patient-focused healthcare support role.
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