Physical Therapist Assistant Salary
Physical Therapist Assistants earn a median $68,380 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
What physical therapist assistants do
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.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +23.0% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 18,500
Employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 23.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 18,500 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 Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,214
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,240
- Medicare (1.45%)$992
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$56,935
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,750 | $22.96 | $40,547 |
| 25th percentile | $59,820 | $28.76 | $50,245 |
| Median (50th) | $68,380 | $32.88 | $56,935 |
| 75th percentile | $78,680 | $37.83 | $64,181 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,510 | $43.03 | $71,800 |
Best cities for physical therapist assistants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $82,140 | $62,138 | $54,716 | 3,730 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $72,230 | $56,213 | $54,262 | 3,520 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $72,530 | $59,855 | $52,433 | 3,420 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $75,620 | $58,542 | $52,008 | 3,220 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $82,140
- New York, NY — $75,620
- Miami, FL — $72,530
- Chicago, IL — $72,230
Physical Therapist Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $83,110 | +4.7% | $62,718 | $59,500 – $102,800 | 9,400 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 | +2.2% | $60,977 | $62,030 – $88,280 | 2,640 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 | +4.9% | $61,206 | $62,620 – $90,090 | 1,810 |
| Texas | $78,000 | +2.3% | $63,703 | $43,900 – $99,640 | 10,510 |
| Maryland | $77,670 | +8.2% | $60,145 | $39,260 – $91,570 | 1,430 |
| Alaska | $77,640 | +1.7% | $63,450 | $65,640 – $87,850 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 | +2.4% | $59,613 | $62,070 – $82,870 | 980 |
| Nevada | $75,520 | +3.3% | $61,958 | $49,140 – $87,930 | 560 |
| Delaware | $74,610 | +17.7% | $57,735 | $51,750 – $83,510 | 340 |
| Virginia | $73,760 | −0.2% | $57,293 | $54,170 – $93,600 | 3,370 |
| Oregon | $73,180 | +5.3% | $54,739 | $56,620 – $89,480 | 890 |
| Georgia | $72,800 | +1.8% | $56,889 | $43,400 – $89,600 | 2,620 |
| Florida | $72,530 | +9.7% | $59,855 | $58,650 – $81,080 | 9,870 |
| Vermont | $71,600 | +5.3% | $56,935 | $60,580 – $83,250 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $71,440 | +6.4% | $59,088 | $59,540 – $80,940 | 500 |
| South Carolina | $70,500 | +3.2% | $55,354 | $47,510 – $88,070 | 1,870 |
| Rhode Island | $68,640 | +8.2% | $55,161 | $58,380 – $76,990 | 420 |
| North Carolina | $67,540 | +5.6% | $54,158 | $56,100 – $80,850 | 3,280 |
| Hawaii | $67,510 | +8.7% | $52,723 | $49,920 – $74,770 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $66,770 | +5.6% | $52,786 | $58,010 – $77,420 | 1,230 |
| Washington | $66,450 | −8.9% | $55,573 | $36,610 – $93,140 | 2,150 |
| Maine | $66,250 | +8.9% | $52,122 | $53,440 – $80,530 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $65,370 | +6.6% | $53,130 | $24,360 – $81,520 | 1,670 |
| Indiana | $65,280 | +3.8% | $52,736 | $46,410 – $80,060 | 2,830 |
| Illinois | $65,240 | +0.9% | $51,516 | $41,600 – $81,890 | 4,890 |
| Colorado | $64,810 | +4.3% | $52,112 | $48,580 – $89,550 | 1,350 |
| Arizona | $64,650 | −2.2% | $52,719 | $36,160 – $79,570 | 2,010 |
| Arkansas | $64,520 | −4.0% | $51,718 | $31,540 – $85,280 | 1,620 |
| Kansas | $64,500 | +2.4% | $51,206 | $52,520 – $79,550 | 1,300 |
| New York | $64,100 | −0.9% | $50,820 | $46,350 – $81,000 | 3,620 |
| Wisconsin | $64,080 | +3.5% | $51,630 | $51,960 – $77,440 | 1,650 |
| Ohio | $63,820 | +2.7% | $52,487 | $51,280 – $84,130 | 7,040 |
| Missouri | $63,770 | +4.6% | $51,359 | $50,460 – $79,000 | 2,490 |
| Wyoming | $63,550 | +4.4% | $53,242 | $48,180 – $79,320 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $63,520 | +5.9% | $53,218 | $30,480 – $77,600 | 120 |
| District of Columbia | $63,400 | +16.0% | $50,447 | $45,750 – $82,250 | 40 |
| Montana | $62,650 | +0.2% | $50,331 | $52,310 – $77,990 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,580 | +1.6% | $50,542 | $49,610 – $78,010 | 4,270 |
| Tennessee | $62,500 | −0.7% | $52,399 | $48,010 – $80,800 | 3,390 |
| New Mexico | $62,280 | +5.0% | $50,461 | $30,470 – $85,040 | 700 |
| Utah | $61,980 | +1.4% | $50,158 | $34,190 – $84,000 | 970 |
| Mississippi | $61,770 | +0.9% | $50,073 | $51,720 – $78,830 | 1,150 |
| Michigan | $61,670 | +3.6% | $49,362 | $35,700 – $78,600 | 4,520 |
| Kentucky | $61,480 | −1.5% | $49,545 | $27,870 – $79,500 | 2,580 |
| Alabama | $61,430 | +0.9% | $48,733 | $49,340 – $79,060 | 2,700 |
| Nebraska | $61,370 | +1.6% | $49,578 | $48,100 – $77,690 | 980 |
| Iowa | $61,030 | +0.5% | $49,550 | $45,760 – $74,950 | 1,060 |
| Idaho | $61,020 | +4.8% | $49,084 | $37,780 – $75,050 | 560 |
| West Virginia | $60,430 | +0.3% | $48,752 | $45,510 – $79,160 | 980 |
| Oklahoma | $59,480 | −4.6% | $47,841 | $24,960 – $79,860 | 2,380 |
| South Dakota | $49,310 | −1.1% | $41,801 | $40,120 – $63,930 | 300 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 | Associate's degree | +21.5% |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +15.3% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.4% |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make?
The national median salary for physical therapist assistants is $68,380 a year ($32.88 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,750 and the top 10% earn over $89,510. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays physical therapist assistants the most?
California has the highest median pay at $83,110. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many physical therapist assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 112,430 people work as physical therapist assistants nationwide.