PTA salary varies widely across the healthcare industry, even among roles with similar job responsibilities. Physical therapist assistants provide hands-on care that helps patients recover mobility, manage pain, and regain function through physical therapy. What they earn depends on clinical settings, geographic location, experience, and how therapy services are delivered.
This guide explains physical therapist assistant salary data using current labor statistics, national averages, and setting-based comparisons. It is written for students entering a physical therapist assistant program, working PTAs evaluating higher pay opportunities, and healthcare facilities planning staffing. For PTAs and employers who want clearer alignment between compensation and staffing needs, working with a physical therapist assistant staffing partner such as Flagstar Rehab can streamline placement decisions.
Across the United States, physical therapist assistant salary data is reported using both average salary and median wage figures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most recently published median annual wage for physical therapist assistants is $65,510, which equals about $31.50 per hour. The reported average annual salary is higher at $83,170, reflecting experienced PTAs, overtime pay, and higher-pay settings. These figures represent national average benchmarks and vary depending on location, experience, and work environment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that the lowest-paid 25th percentile of PTAs earns approximately $48,260 annually, which is common for entry-level or starting salary roles. Many physical therapist assistants earn a good salary above the national average by working overtime, accepting shift differentials, or choosing rehabilitation settings with staffing shortages. Hourly wage, annual salary, and average annual figures should always be reviewed together to understand true earning potential.
Common salary terms used in PTA jobs:
Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist to provide therapy services that support recovery. Their job responsibilities include implementing treatment plans, guiding therapeutic exercise, monitoring patients’ progress, and reporting outcomes. Physical therapist assistants work across outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments.
The physical demands of the role affect compensation. PTAs spend much of their day standing, assisting patients, lifting equipment, and adjusting care based on patient response. Settings that involve elderly patients, post-surgical care, or complex rehabilitation services often offer higher pay due to workload intensity and staffing difficulty. Administrative tasks such as documentation and care coordination may also factor into compensation expectations.
Core responsibilities linked to the PTA salary:
The clinical setting is one of the strongest predictors of physical therapist assistant salary. Each environment has different productivity demands, patient populations, and staffing pressures that influence pay levels and career growth.
Outpatient clinics employ many physical therapist assistants due to steady patient flow and predictable scheduling. Average salary in outpatient care often aligns with the national average. These roles support career growth through exposure to athletic training, orthopedic care, and sports rehabilitation. Pay may increase through productivity incentives or expanded responsibilities.
Skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities often offer higher pay due to patient acuity and consistent staffing needs. PTAs in these settings work closely with elderly patients who require rehabilitation services following illness or surgery. Many of the highest salaries reported nationally come from post-acute care roles.
Healthcare facilities facing coverage gaps frequently rely on specialized staffing support. Flagstar Rehab works with skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation settings to place credentialed PTAs where demand is highest.
Home health roles offer compensation structures that can exceed clinic-based pay. PTAs are often paid hourly or per visit, which allows experienced clinicians to earn higher pay through efficient scheduling. Home health provides broad clinical experience and independence, but requires strong time management and hands-on experience.
Hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation settings expose PTAs to complex patient populations and interdisciplinary teams. PTAs collaborate with healthcare professionals, including speech therapists and occupational therapy staff. Hospital roles often offer higher pay in high-cost regions or during staffing shortages.
Geographic location plays a major role in determining PTA salary. High-cost states and metropolitan areas tend to offer salaries that vary depending on demand and staffing pressure. According to recent data:
As of 2026, California holds the highest average salary for physical therapist assistants at approximately $74,000, though metropolitan variation is substantial.
Most PTAs complete an associate’s degree through an accredited PTA program. A physical therapist assistant program includes classroom instruction, clinical education, and supervised clinical rotations in healthcare facilities. Hands-on training and clinical experience strongly influence early performance and salary growth.
A high school diploma alone qualifies only for aide roles, not PTA positions. Basic life support certification is typically required. Some PTAs pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related field or additional education to support career advancement into leadership roles.
Education factors that affect PTA salary:
Experience significantly influences a physical therapist assistant’s salary. Senior-level roles yield higher compensation than entry-level positions. Negotiation is one of the most effective ways to increase starting salary, yet many PTAs do not ask for higher pay when offered a role.
Additional strategies that raise earnings include:
PTAs working in the management of companies and enterprises report average annual salaries around $85,060, among the highest in the field. Networking, professional development, and leadership experience also support long-term career growth.
The job outlook for physical therapist assistants is highly favorable. Growth projections range from 19% to 26% through 2034, far exceeding the average for all occupations at 3%. As of 2023, approximately 104,000 PTAs were employed in the United States.
The increasing number of PTAs highlights their vital role in the healthcare system. Demand continues to rise due to the aging population and expanded access to rehabilitation services across outpatient clinics, home health, and post-acute care.
PTA salary varies depending on location, work environment, experience, and education. Physical therapist assistants who understand median wage data, setting-based pay differences, and growth opportunities can make informed career decisions. With strong demand across the healthcare industry, PTA roles continue to offer a rewarding career with stable income potential.
For PTAs exploring higher pay opportunities or healthcare facilities seeking dependable staffing, working with a therapy-focused partner can simplify placement. Flagstar Rehab connects physical therapist assistants with healthcare facilities across outpatient care, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation settings while supporting credentialing and compliance. Connect with our team and discuss current staffing needs.
Physical therapist assistants working in skilled nursing facilities, home health, travel roles, or management-related settings tend to earn the highest salaries. These roles often involve higher patient complexity, staffing shortages, or flexible schedules that support higher pay. Experience, overtime, and willingness to work weekends also increase earning potential.
In healthcare, PTA means physical therapist assistant, a licensed professional who provides physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs help implement treatment plans, guide therapeutic exercise, and track patient progress. This role is different from non-clinical uses of the term PTA, such as Parent Teacher Association positions.
The median annual physical therapist assistant salary in the United States is $65,510, which equals about $31.50 per hour. The average annual salary is higher at $83,170 due to experienced PTAs and higher-paying settings. Earnings vary depending on location, work environment, and experience level.
A physical therapist assistant helps patients recover mobility and function by carrying out treatment plans created by a physical therapist. PTAs provide therapeutic exercise, monitor patient progress, and support daily rehabilitation care. They work in clinical settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health.