Physical Therapist Assistants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Healthcare Support · SOC 31-2021 · O*NET 31-2021.00
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 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
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about physical therapist assistants
What is the median salary for physical therapist assistants?
The median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is $65,510 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is physical therapist assistants a growing career?
BLS projects +22.0% growth for physical therapist assistants from 2024 through 2034, which is very fast growth projected to grow far faster than the US average.
What education does my child need to become physical therapist assistant?
The typical entry path requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to physical therapist assistants?
Related occupations within the Healthcare Support category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.