Physical Therapist Aide Salary
Physical Therapist Aides earn a median $35,240 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
What physical therapist aides do
Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.0% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 6,400
Employment of physical therapist aides is projected to grow 4.0% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Physical Therapist Aide take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,049
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,185
- Medicare (1.45%)$511
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,495
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,360 | $12.19 | $22,494 |
| 25th percentile | $30,410 | $14.62 | $26,614 |
| Median (50th) | $35,240 | $16.94 | $30,495 |
| 75th percentile | $38,810 | $18.66 | $33,364 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,780 | $22.97 | $40,571 |
Best cities for physical therapist aides (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $37,280 | $31,169 | $27,446 | 2,720 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $35,320 | $29,249 | $25,985 | 6,030 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $37,280
- New York, NY — $35,320
Physical Therapist Aide salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 | +31.8% | $46,983 | $35,700 – $72,290 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 | −4.5% | $34,746 | $37,510 – $48,190 | 150 |
| Colorado | $41,970 | +12.8% | $34,765 | $31,500 – $52,290 | 360 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 | +18.1% | $34,690 | $29,130 – $49,950 | 130 |
| Maine | $39,660 | +10.6% | $32,538 | $34,590 – $70,540 | 90 |
| Washington | $39,500 | +4.7% | $33,918 | $35,930 – $58,100 | 760 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 | +3.0% | $32,305 | $36,960 – $39,040 | 30 |
| Montana | $38,950 | +11.7% | $32,402 | $24,240 – $48,780 | 110 |
| California | $38,330 | +5.6% | $31,957 | $34,690 – $60,200 | 7,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 | +3.8% | $32,456 | $29,900 – $56,430 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | −1.5% | $30,611 | $35,070 – $48,690 | 1,020 |
| Ohio | $37,220 | +3.7% | $31,845 | $22,970 – $46,050 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $36,820 | +3.1% | $30,926 | $28,080 – $46,520 | 840 |
| Illinois | $36,650 | +5.3% | $29,959 | $31,200 – $48,360 | 680 |
| Oregon | $36,060 | +0.5% | $28,829 | $31,430 – $44,490 | 1,090 |
| Connecticut | $35,770 | +1.4% | $30,237 | $34,010 – $43,830 | 520 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,520 | −2.5% | $29,630 | $24,180 – $43,100 | 1,200 |
| Kentucky | $35,490 | +23.4% | $29,572 | $27,470 – $47,780 | 160 |
| New York | $35,380 | +1.2% | $29,294 | $32,610 – $51,460 | 4,950 |
| Arizona | $35,260 | +1.0% | $29,839 | $31,510 – $44,630 | 1,340 |
| Florida | $35,140 | +4.8% | $30,415 | $30,620 – $44,180 | 1,210 |
| Indiana | $35,100 | +21.0% | $29,377 | $23,010 – $73,430 | 860 |
| West Virginia | $34,840 | +18.8% | $29,247 | $22,960 – $43,720 | 170 |
| Maryland | $34,780 | +10.9% | $28,837 | $31,200 – $39,330 | 830 |
| North Carolina | $34,760 | −1.2% | $29,231 | $28,920 – $72,890 | 1,050 |
| New Jersey | $34,430 | −4.1% | $29,329 | $32,220 – $44,350 | 2,230 |
| Delaware | $34,060 | +14.9% | $28,334 | $31,200 – $42,750 | 300 |
| Hawaii | $33,810 | −7.3% | $28,197 | $31,050 – $46,480 | 60 |
| Virginia | $33,390 | +15.8% | $27,903 | $25,960 – $42,530 | 1,260 |
| South Carolina | $33,280 | +8.2% | $28,081 | $22,830 – $45,290 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $31,990 | −10.5% | $27,469 | $29,090 – $47,860 | 240 |
| Nevada | $31,970 | +8.6% | $27,868 | $27,550 – $40,090 | 900 |
| Texas | $31,590 | −1.4% | $27,563 | $22,520 – $46,710 | 5,710 |
| South Dakota | $31,330 | −8.6% | $27,354 | $24,010 – $44,770 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 | −4.3% | $26,696 | $31,200 – $43,480 | 280 |
| Georgia | $30,550 | −1.2% | $25,764 | $22,080 – $38,680 | 1,200 |
| Wyoming | $30,470 | +3.4% | $26,663 | $29,730 – $37,080 | 240 |
| Tennessee | $30,320 | −1.2% | $26,542 | $21,220 – $42,830 | 710 |
| Arkansas | $29,450 | +2.7% | $24,907 | $24,810 – $47,650 | 160 |
| Michigan | $29,350 | −2.7% | $24,766 | $27,070 – $38,300 | 1,810 |
| Missouri | $29,250 | +3.2% | $25,245 | $28,600 – $39,140 | 750 |
| Utah | $29,150 | +4.6% | $25,256 | $23,010 – $36,220 | 1,130 |
| Iowa | $29,120 | −20.1% | $25,123 | $21,840 – $43,760 | 390 |
| Idaho | $28,660 | +0.2% | $24,798 | $23,600 – $40,680 | 540 |
| Nebraska | $28,080 | +5.8% | $24,278 | $28,080 – $41,590 | 670 |
| Oklahoma | $27,630 | +13.5% | $23,665 | $21,550 – $35,990 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $27,370 | +1.7% | $23,786 | $23,450 – $36,880 | 270 |
| Alabama | $27,290 | +8.2% | $22,984 | $21,160 – $33,770 | 750 |
| Kansas | $25,280 | −12.3% | $21,777 | $21,880 – $39,260 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $22,460 | +4.0% | $19,818 | $19,490 – $30,070 | 1,380 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 | Associate's degree | +23.0% |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 | Associate's degree | +21.5% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $35,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +18.1% |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.1% |
| Orderly | $38,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.6% |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make?
The national median salary for physical therapist aides is $35,240 a year ($16.94 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $25,360 and the top 10% earn over $47,780. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays physical therapist aides the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $55,760. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many physical therapist aides are there in the U.S.?
About 48,150 people work as physical therapist aides nationwide.