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Physical Therapist Assistant

$68,380
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Carry out physical therapy plans, guiding patients through exercises and treatments under a therapist's direction.

Where you work

Clinics, hospitals, and homes; active, hands-on, on your feet.

The hours

Full-time and part-time; some evenings and weekends.

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$68,380
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~19,800
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+22%
Much faster than average
Working in the U.S.
coming soon

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Associate degree

Training path: Associate degree + license.

License or certification

Most states require a license after an accredited associate program and exam.

What it takes

CompassionPhysical staminaCommunicationAttention to detail

The honest take

Over a fifth more jobs this decade — on a 2-year degree.

Standard Occupational Classification 31-2021. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.