upper level job

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary in the United States

How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in the United States is $65,103 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,407
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,003 to $68,403
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,628
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Smart Recruiting
View as table View as graph 25% $57,003 10% $49,628 90% $71,407 75% $68,403 $65,103 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $68,403 $5,700 $1,315 $33
Average $65,103 $5,425 $1,252 $31
25th Percentile $57,003 $4,750 $1,096 $27
Check out Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Job Openings in the United States
Physical Therapist Assistant PTA

Elara Caring - Columbus, OH

Physical Therapy Assistant PTA

Movement Mentors Therapy Staffing - Columbus, OH

Physical Therapist Assistant

Optum - Columbus, OH

Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant

Enliven Home Health - Columbus, OH

Search More Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salaries

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) (0-0 years): $65,081
  • Physical Therapy Aide (0-1 years): $37,076
  • Physical Therapy Team Supervisor (3-5 years): $107,122
  • Clinical Manager of Physical Therapy (5+ years): $126,445
  • Clinical Director of Physical Therapy (5+ years): $151,732
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)0-0 years$65,081
Physical Therapy Aide0-1 years$37,076
Physical Therapy Team Supervisor3-5 years$107,122
Clinical Manager of Physical Therapy5+ years$126,445
Clinical Director of Physical Therapy5+ years$151,732
$65,081 Physical ...
$37,076 Physical ...
$107,122 Physical ...
$126,445 Clinical ...
$151,732 Clinical ...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $82,103
  • San Francisco: $81,203
  • Oakland: $79,503

What Skills Can Increase a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.14% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Rehabilitation Services (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Rehabilitation services is a special healthcare service that help a person regain physical, mental, and/or cognitive (thinking and learning) abilities that have been lost or impaired as a result of disease, injury, or treatment.
  • Geriatrics (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a medical specialty focused on providing care for the unique health needs of older adults. The term geriatrics originates from the Greek geron meaning "old man", and iatros meaning "healer".
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.14%
Rehabilitation Services 2.4%
Geriatrics 1.5%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s salary.
  • Management Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Clinical Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • Environmental Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Management Skills
$87,238
34%
Clinical Leadership
$85,285
31%
Environmental Safety
$83,983
29%
Case Management
$78,775
21%
Infection Control
$70,311
8%
Rehabilitation Services
$69,660
7%
Get Latest Data

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,416. While startup companies pay approximate $59,055.

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$59,055
Growth Stage51~500$62,371
Established501~5000$67,119
Enterprise5000+$69,416

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$78,124$38.020%

How Education impacts a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)s enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with a Associate's Degree is between $61,982 and $65,493).

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 4.9%
Associates 69.5%
Bachelors 21.5%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 0.9%
view as graph

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Physical Therapy Aide role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $37,100 - a projected growth of -43% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Salaries for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $66,228 in 2023 to around $63,601 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,228
2024
$64,565
2025
$63,601
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,228
2024 $64,565
2025 $63,601
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Here are companies hiring for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • National Church Residences

    Columbus, OH

    National Church Residences | Columbus, OH

    National Church Residences - - Responsibilities: Deliver comprehensive home health physical therapy to senior patients in Central Ohio more

    2 Days Ago

  • U.S. Physical Therapy

    Columbus, OH

    U.S. Physical Therapy | Columbus, OH

    Physical Therapist. You didn't become a Physical Therapist just to clock in, chase units, and burn out. You want to treat patients well, keep getting bette... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Common Spirit Health

    Columbus, OH

    Common Spirit Health | Columbus, OH

    Physical Therapist. Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through i... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Interim HealthCare

    Columbus, OH

    Interim HealthCare | Columbus, OH

    Description Physical Therapist, PT - Home Health As a Physical Therapist you will be called to care when you're needed most. As part of Interim HealthCare,... more

    6 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth

    Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Physical Therapist. We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Nationwide Childrens Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    Nationwide Childrens Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Homecare Therapist. Full time role but open to part time applicants as well. Retention Bonus's may be available for this opportunity. Our Homecare Therapis... more

    4 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does an entry level PTA make in Florida?

As of now, the salary range for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Florida is between $60,803 and $73,603 annually. The midpoint salary is approximately $67,003. This indicates that entry-level PTAs can expect to earn closer to the minimum salary, which is significantly higher than the previously mentioned figure of $35,744.

3. How much do physical therapist assistants make in the US?

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) in the US earn between $60,803 and $73,603 annually. The average salary is approximately $67,003, translating to about $5,583 per month. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and location within the profession.

4. What state pays PTA the most?

The states that pay Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) the highest mean salary include Nevada, California, Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts. While the average salary for PTAs ranges from $60,803 to $73,603, these states offer competitive compensation, with top earners making significantly more.

5. Do PTAs get paid hourly or salary?

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) typically receive a salary rather than an hourly wage. Based on current data, PTAs earn between $60,803 and $73,603 annually, with a mid-salary of $67,003. This reflects the range of compensation for PTAs across various settings and experience levels.

6. Can you go from PTA to PT?

PTAs looking to transition to a PT program may need to complete additional prerequisites like advanced biology, chemistry, and psychology. Most Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs require a bachelor's degree, and some may also require the Graduate Record Examination. The salary for PTAs ranges from $60,803 to $73,603, with a median salary of $67,003.

7. How to increase PTA salary?

To increase your PTA salary, consider obtaining certification from the American Therapy Association. Certified PTAs are often viewed as more qualified, which can lead to higher pay. The salary range for PTAs typically falls between $60,803 and $73,603, with a median salary of $67,003. Enhancing your qualifications can help you move towards the upper end of this range.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst