upper level job

How much does a Physical Therapy Assistant make?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Physical Therapy Assistant in the United States is $65,201. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $53,547 to a high of $82,204, with most professionals earning between $59,101 and $74,101.

Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $74,101 $6,175 $1,425 $36
Average $65,201 $5,433 $1,254 $31
25th Percentile $59,101 $4,925 $1,137 $28

Average Salary

25% $59,101 10% $53,547 90% $82,204 75% $74,101 $65,201 50%(Median)
Change Search Criteria

How much does a Physical Therapy Assistant make by hour, week, month, and year?

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Physical Therapy Assistant salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. The average annual pay for a Physical Therapy Assistant is about $65,201 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 Physical Therapy Assistant hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay, and so on.

Last Updated on April 01, 2025

How Does Experience Level Affect a Physical Therapy Assistant's Salary?

An entry-level Physical Therapy Assistant with less than 1 year of experience earns about $64,208. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $65,567. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $69,286. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $69,685, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $69,950.

Levels Salary
Entry Level Physical Therapy Assistant $64,208
Intermediate Level Physical Therapy Assistant $65,567
Senior Level Physical Therapy Assistant $69,286
Specialist Level Physical Therapy Assistant $69,685
Expert Level Physical Therapy Assistant $69,950
$64,208 0 yr
$65,567 < 2 yrs
$69,286 2-4 yrs
$69,685 5-8 yrs
$69,950 > 8 yrs
Last Updated on April 01, 2025
Entry Level 2%
Mid Level 1%
Senior Level 6%
Top Level 7%
Experienced 7%
View as graph
Last Updated on April 01, 2025

How much does salary of Physical Therapy Assistant 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 Physical Therapy Assistant is $81,401.
  • In New York, NY, the average annual salary is $75,501.
  • In Boston, MA, a Physical Therapy Assistant earns $72,701 per year.

What is the salary trend of Physical Therapy Assistant?

As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Physical Therapy Assistant 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 Physical Therapy Assistant 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 Physical Therapy Assistant 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

Physical Therapy Assistant 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 Physical Therapy Assistant

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

Most Common Benefits for Physical Therapy Assistant

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 $65,201 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 $91,441 100%
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 Physical Therapy Assistant with different levels of education?

Salaries for Physical Therapy Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Physical Therapy Assistant with a Associate's Degree is $61,980 - $65,491. 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.

Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Last Updated on April 01, 2025
Typical Education for Physical Therapy Assistant
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 Physical Therapy Assistant
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 4.9%
Associates 69.5%
Bachelors 21.5%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 0.9%
view as table

Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Last Updated on April 01, 2025

What Am I Worth?

FAQ about Physical Therapy Assistant

1. How to make more money as a PTA?

To increase your earnings as a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), consider picking up weekend hospital shifts, which often pay more. Contact home health agencies for weekend opportunities, and explore PRN or part-time positions at nursing homes or clinics, where you may earn a higher rate. The salary range for PTAs typically falls between $60,801 and $73,601, with a mid-salary of $67,001.

2. Is PTA school harder than nursing?

Physical therapy assistant (PTA) programs can be demanding, often requiring a solid understanding of anatomy and patient care. While both PTA and nursing programs have their challenges, PTAs typically complete an associate degree, which may be less intensive than the nursing path. PTAs earn between $60,801 and $73,601 annually, reflecting the specialized skills they acquire.

3. How much does a PTA get paid per hour?

A Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) typically earns an annual salary ranging from $60,801 to $73,601. This translates to an hourly wage between approximately $29.25 and $35.39, depending on experience and location. For example, in Delaware, the average annual salary is around $66,507, equating to about $31.97 per hour.

4. How much do PT assistants make in the US?

The salary for physical therapy assistants in the US ranges from a minimum of $60,801 to a maximum of $73,601, with a median salary of $67,001. Earnings can vary based on factors such as experience, education, location, and the specific practice setting.

5. Who gets paid more PA or PT?

Physician assistants and physical therapists earn different average salaries. According to the provided salary data, physical therapy assistants have a salary range with a minimum of $60,801, a mid-range of $67,001, and a maximum of $73,601. In comparison, physical therapists typically earn more, with average salaries around $81,982 per year.

6. How to become a physical therapist assistant salary?

To become a physical therapy assistant, you typically need an associate's degree. While educational costs are lower than for physical therapists, salaries are also reduced. Based on current data, the salary range for a physical therapy assistant is approximately $60,801 to $73,601, with a median salary around $67,001.

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 Physical Therapy Assistant is $65,201 per year in the United States, updated at April 01, 2025.
Is this useful? Maybe