Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

Physical therapist assistants, sometimes called PTAs, and physical therapist aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to regain movement and manage pain.

Physical therapist assistants are involved in the direct care of patients.

Physical therapist aides often have tasks that are indirectly related to patient care, such as cleaning and setting up the treatment area, moving patients, and doing clerical duties.

Duties

Physical therapist assistants typically do the following:

• Observe patients before, during, and after therapy, noting the patient’s status and reporting it to a physical therapist
• Help patients do specific exercises as part of the plan of care
• Treat patients using a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching
• Use devices and equipment, such as walkers, to help patients
• Educate patients and family members about what to do after treatment

Under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants treat patients through exercise, massage, gait and balance training, and other therapeutic interventions. They record patients’ progress and report the results of each treatment to the physical therapist.

Physical therapist aides typically do the following:

• Clean treatment areas and set up therapy equipment
• Wash linens
• Help patients move to or from a therapy area
• Do clerical tasks, such as answering phones and scheduling patients

Physical therapist aides are supervised by physical therapists or physical therapist assistants. The tasks that physical therapist aides are allowed to do vary by state. They usually are responsible for keeping the treatment area clean and organized, preparing for each patient’s therapy, and helping patients as needed in moving to or from a treatment area. In addition, aides do a variety of clerical tasks, such as ordering supplies, scheduling treatment sessions, and completing insurance forms.

Physical therapist aides held about 45,600 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of physical therapist aides were as follows:

Physical therapist assistants held about 111,500 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of physical therapist assistants were as follows:

Physical therapist assistants and aides are frequently on their feet and moving as they set up equipment and help and treat patients. Because they must often lift and move patients, they are vulnerable to back injuries. Assistants and aides can limit these risks by using proper techniques when they work with patients.

Work Schedules

Most physical therapist assistants and aides work full time, although part time work is common. Some work nights and weekends because many physical therapy offices and clinics have extended hours to accommodate patients’ schedules.

Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.

The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $34,520 in May 2024.

The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $65,510 in May 2024.

Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 26,400 openings for physical therapist assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.