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Physical Therapy Attendant Salary in the United States

How much does a Physical Therapy Attendant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physical Therapy Attendant in the United States is $37,078 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Physical Therapy Attendant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,806
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,062 to $42,170
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,316
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physical Therapy Attendant Salaries

A Physical Therapy Attendant'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 Therapy Attendant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physical Therapy Attendant'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:

  • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (0-0 years): $65,076
  • Physical Therapy Attendant (0-1 years): $37,078
  • Physical Therapy Supervisor (3-5 years): $107,131
  • Physical Therapy Manager (5+ years): $114,558
  • Physical Therapy Director (5+ years): $151,777
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant0-0 years$65,076
Physical Therapy Attendant0-1 years$37,078
Physical Therapy Supervisor3-5 years$107,131
Physical Therapy Manager5+ years$114,558
Physical Therapy Director5+ years$151,777
View as Graph

How Do Physical Therapy Attendant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Physical Therapy Attendants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $41,053.
  • California: $40,897.
  • Massachusetts: $40,352.

Top Paying Cities for Physical Therapy Attendants

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: $46,766
  • San Francisco: $46,254
  • Oakland: $45,280

What Skills Can Increase a Physical Therapy Attendant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 4.7% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Occupational Therapy (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Occupational Therapy is a form of therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life.
  • Front Office (Mentioned in 1.33% Job Postings): The front office represents the customer-facing division of a firm. For example, customer service, sales, and industry experts who provide advisory services are considered part of a firm's front office operations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 4.7%
Occupational Therapy 2.1%
Front Office 1.33%
See More Skills

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 Therapy Attendant's salary.

  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Speech Therapy: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Verbal Communication $44,494
20%
Speech Therapy $43,752
18%
Collaboration $41,157
11%
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Physical Therapy Attendant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physical Therapy Attendant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $39,556. While startup companies pay approximate $33,632.

Physical Therapy Attendant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $33,632
Growth Stage 51~500 $35,528
Established 501~5000 $38,239
Enterprise 5000+ $39,556

Physical Therapy Attendant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physical Therapy Attendant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Physical Therapy Attendant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physical Therapy Attendant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Physical Therapy Attendant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$40,786$20.010%

How Education impacts a Physical Therapy Attendant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physical Therapy Attendant enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Physical Therapy Attendant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $36,196 and $38,598.

Physical Therapy Attendant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physical Therapy Attendant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.2%
High School 38.5%
Associates 21.0%
Bachelors 31.5%
Masters 4.2%
Doctorate 0.7%
View as Graph

Physical Therapy Attendant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physical Therapy Attendant'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 September 01, 2026
$34,062
Average $37,078/year
$42,170
$2,839
Average $3,090/month
$3,514
$655
Average $713/week
$811
$16
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,170 $3,514 $811 $20
Average $37,078 $3,090 $713 $18
25th Percentile $34,062 $2,839 $655 $16

Physical Therapy Attendant Salary Growth & Career Path

Physical Therapy Attendant

Next Role

For a Physical Therapy Attendant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Physical Therapy Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $107,131 - a projected growth of 189% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Physical Therapy Attendant

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

Common company salaries for Physical Therapy Attendant

Here are companies hiring for Physical Therapy Attendant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Physical Therapy Attendant

1. Where can a Physical Therapy Attendant earn the most?

A Physical Therapy Attendant's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Physical Therapy Attendant earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physical Therapy Attendant is $46,766.

2. What is the highest pay for Physical Therapy Attendant?

The highest pay for Physical Therapy Attendant is $46,806.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physical Therapy Attendant?

The lowest pay for Physical Therapy Attendant is $31,316.

4. What are the responsibilities of Physical Therapy Attendant?

Assists in the treatment of patients under the direction of physical therapists. Supports physical therapy care by preparing treatment areas, equipments, and materials. May be responsible for the operation and maintenance of equipment. Prepares and sanitizes treatment rooms for the patients. Helps maintain the treatment records of the patient. May perform various clerical duties such as greeting patients and scheduling appointments. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Physical Therapy Attendant?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Physical Therapy Attendant roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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.

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