Physical Therapist Assistants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Physical Therapist Assistants fall under the Healthcare Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Physical Therapist Assistants earn a median salary of $65,510 per year, ranking in the top 38% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +22.0% job growth through 2034, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do physical therapist assistants earn?

The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants is $65,510. That puts physical therapist assistants at #307 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is physical therapist assistants a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for physical therapist assistants is +22.0%, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 111K positions in 2024 to 136K in 2034, a net change of 25K. Very fast growth indicates significant talent shortages and unusually strong hiring momentum — often the most resilient outlook a teenager can plan toward.

What do physical therapist assistants do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working physical therapist assistants, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
2. 2.Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
3. 3.Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
4. 4.Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
5. 5.Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
6. 6.Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
7. 7.Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
8. 8.Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.

Top skills for physical therapist assistants

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become physical therapist assistant?

Entry into physical therapist assistants typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, often coupled with state licensing exams or clinical hours. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Occupational Therapy Assistants
  $68,340 median
• Massage Therapists
  $57,950 median
• Dental Assistants
  $47,300 median
• Medical Equipment Preparers
  $46,490 median
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
  $46,050 median
• Medical Assistants
  $44,200 median

Common questions parents ask about physical therapist assistants