upper level job

How much does a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) make?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in the United States is $65,200. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $53,546 to a high of $82,203, with most professionals earning between $59,100 and $74,100.

Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $74,100 $6,175 $1,425 $36
Average $65,200 $5,433 $1,254 $31
25th Percentile $59,100 $4,925 $1,137 $28

Average Salary

25% $59,100 10% $53,546 90% $82,203 75% $74,100 $65,200 50%(Median)
Change Search Criteria

How much does a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) make by hour, week, month, and year?

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. The average annual pay for a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is about $65,200 a year, this translates to an approximate hourly rate of $31, a monthly salary of about $5,433, and a weekly pay of around $1,254 . Click the switch button below to see more details about Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay, and so on.

Last Updated on April 01, 2025

How Does Experience Level Affect a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s Salary?

An entry-level Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with less than 1 year of experience earns about $64,107. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $65,466. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $69,185. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $69,584, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $69,849.

Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) $64,107
Intermediate Level Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) $65,466
Senior Level Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) $69,185
Specialist Level Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) $69,584
Expert Level Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) $69,849
$64,107 0 yr
$65,466 < 2 yrs
$69,185 2-4 yrs
$69,584 5-8 yrs
$69,849 > 8 yrs
Last Updated on April 01, 2025
Entry Level 2%
Mid Level 0%
Senior Level 6%
Top Level 7%
Experienced 7%
View as graph
Last Updated on April 01, 2025

How much does salary of Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) vary from city to city?

Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.

For example, as of April 01, 2025:
  • In San Francisco, CA, the average yearly salary for a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is $81,400.
  • In New York, NY, the average annual salary is $75,500.
  • In Boston, MA, a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) earns $72,700 per year.

What is the salary trend of Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)?

As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $66,228 in 2023 to approximately $64,565 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) salary trends, click here.)

Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.

Average Annual Salary of Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Over Time

2020
$???
2021
$???
2022
$???
$66,228
2023
$64,565
2024
$63,601
2025
2026
$???
Last Updated on April 01, 2025
2020
$???
2021
$???
2022
$???
2023
$66,228
2024
$64,565
2025
$63,601
2026
$???
Last Updated on April 01, 2025

Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary by Year

Year Average Annual Salary
2020 View More
2021 View More
2022 View More
2023 $66,228
2024 $64,565
2025 $63,601
2026 View More
Last Updated on April 01, 2025

Job Openings of Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Salary.com job board provides millions of Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) job openings or enter a new job title here.

Most Common Benefits for Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Base Salary 71.3%
Bonuses 0.0%
Social Security 5.5%
401k/403b 3.4%
Disability 0.6%
Healthcare 6.6%
Pension 3.9%
Time Off 8.8%
Core Compensation
Core Compensation Median % of Total
Base Salary $65,200 71.3%
Bonus $0 0.0%
Value of Benefits
Core Compensation Median % of Total
Social Security $4,988 5.5%
401K/403B $3,064 3.4%
Disability $522 0.6%
Healthcare $6,056 6.6%
Pension $3,586 3.9%
Time Off $8,025 8.8%
Total Compensation $91,440 100%
Core Compensation is based on averages for this job and does not reflect personal factors used to determine your projected salary range.
Value of Benefits indicates the employer's expected contribution and paid time off.
Last Updated on April 01, 2025

What are the salaries of a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with different levels of education?

Salaries for Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with a Associate's Degree is $61,979 - $65,490. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salaries by Degree Level

Last Updated on April 01, 2025
Typical Education for Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 4.9%
Associates 69.5%
Bachelors 21.5%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 0.9%
Typical Education for Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 4.9%
Associates 69.5%
Bachelors 21.5%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 0.9%
view as table

Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salaries by Degree Level

Last Updated on April 01, 2025

What Am I Worth?

FAQ about Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

1. What kind of PTAs make the most money?

Clinical Electrophysiology Physical Therapy jobs offer higher salaries, paying approximately 8.4% ($5,480) more than the average PTA salary of $67,000. This means that PTAs in this specialty can earn around $72,480, making it a lucrative option for those qualified in this area.

2. What states are best for physical therapist assistants?

The best states for physical therapist assistants in 2025 include North Dakota, Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island, among others. These states not only offer a variety of job opportunities but also competitive salaries, with a minimum of $60,800, a mid-range of $67,000, and a maximum of $73,600, making them attractive for PTAs seeking growth and stability.

3. Is PTA a stressful job?

The role of a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) can indeed be stressful due to its demanding nature. PTAs often face challenges that may lead to stress and burnout, impacting their well-being and the quality of care they provide. With salaries ranging from $60,800 to $73,600, it's crucial for PTAs to manage stress effectively to maintain their health and job performance.

4. What can't PTAs do?

A physical therapist assistant (PTA) cannot perform the initial evaluation, re-evaluations, change a treatment plan, supervise another PTA or physical therapy aide, or conduct a discharge and discharge summary. The salary for PTAs typically ranges from a minimum of $60,800 to a maximum of $73,600, with a mid-salary of $67,000.

5. What field of physical therapy pays the most?

The field of physical therapy that typically offers the highest salaries is that of Certified Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs). According to recent data, PTAs can expect a minimum salary of $60,800, a mid-range salary of $67,000, and a maximum salary of $73,600, reflecting the demand and specialized skills required in this profession.

6. Is it worth being a physical therapist assistant?

Becoming a physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a fulfilling career that allows you to make a significant impact on people's lives by helping them achieve their physical goals. With a salary range from $60,800 to $73,600, it offers a competitive income while providing the satisfaction of enhancing patients' independence and well-being.

About Our Data

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Is this useful?

The average salary for a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is $65,200 per year in the United States, updated at April 01, 2025.
Is this useful? Maybe