SOC 312021

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

National Median

$65,510

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$65,510

Entry Level (10th pct)

$46,020

Experienced (90th pct)

$87,630

Total Employed

108,010

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience LevelEstimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience$46,020 - $58,240
Mid Career2-8 years experience$58,240 - $77,270
Senior / Expert8+ years experience$77,270 - $87,630

Highest Paying Locations for Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical Therapist Assistants Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan AreaMedian SalaryEmployed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$97,350330
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$97,230850
Modesto, CA$96,120140
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$90,00080
Spartanburg, SC$85,470160
Salinas, CA$84,21050
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$83,82050
Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area$83,77030
Chico, CA$83,61050
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$83,250440
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$82,43070
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$81,690700
Redding, CA$81,53050
Stockton-Lodi, CA$81,420100
Vallejo, CA$81,09030
Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area$81,060180
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX$80,8901,610
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area$80,62050
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area$80,11040
Visalia, CA$79,85070
Midland, TX$79,58080
California$79,4108,430
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$79,320730
Bakersfield-Delano, CA$79,100150
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area$78,94050
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$78,710150
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$78,6301,590
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA$78,49060
Barnstable Town, MA$78,35090
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$78,1801,970
Massachusetts$77,7802,380
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX$77,540130
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT$77,300240
Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area$76,960140
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area$76,930110
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$76,830970
Warner Robins, GA$76,56030
Macon-Bibb County, GA$76,37070
North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area$76,320310
Anchorage, AK$76,31080
Alaska$76,310100
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$76,2701,350
Texas$76,25011,230
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area$76,200160
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$76,1303,780
Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area$76,060220
Tyler, TX$76,020130
Lynchburg, VA$76,000120
Fresno, CA$75,980220
Yakima, WA$75,71080

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median annual salary for Physical Therapist Assistants is $65,510, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.
Where do Physical Therapist Assistantss earn the most?
The highest-paying metro area for Physical Therapist Assistantss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $97,350.
How much can an experienced Physical Therapist Assistants make?
Top-earning Physical Therapist Assistantss (90th percentile) make $87,630 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.