Before stepping into a career like this, you must know how much a PTA’s salary is. This will help you see whether your services will be well compensated.

As you keep reading this post, you’ll uncover the average earnings of these experts. In addition, you’ll also learn about the factors that influence their pay and more.

How Much Does a PTA Make as Salary?

Consider becoming a physical therapy assistant if you want a stable and rewarding career. You’ll be assisting the therapist in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.

You may also perform routine functions, modify specific treatments, develop treatment plans, and document treatment progress.

The Roles of Physical Therapy Assistant

As stated earlier, a PTA is a healthcare expert who provides their services as a licensed physical therapist.

They perform various critical roles, such as helping patients of all ages with conditions related to movement, limitations in mobility, or functionality.

PTAs can also prepare reports to measure improving their clients’ health and mobility chances. Maintaining progress reports of patients, picking up phone calls, and filling out forms are additional roles of these professionals.

A physical therapy assistant can work in several settings. These include hospitals, hospices, outpatient clinics, education and research centers, homes, occupational organizations, patient rehab centers, etc.

Average Salary of a PTA

September 10, 2023’s statistics indicate that the typical hourly wage for PTAs is $31.52. The price point of income starts at $14.66 to $45.91.

The median hourly pay for workers in the field begins at $25.72 to $35.34. Consider an annual income of $45,580 to $70,840 with this.

Additionally, it has been noted that the job creation rate rose by 1.7% and that wages hiked by 0.7%. This suggests several job openings, chances for advancement, and increased pay.

If this sounds steep, consider becoming a physical therapy assistant soon.

Factors that Affect the Salary of PTAs

How much you’ll earn while working in this area depends on several factors.

They consist of things like geographic area, amount of education and experience, a licensed workplace, and more. To make wise choices, consider these factors before accepting any employment offer.

  • Level of Education and Experience

Your educational background and years of experience as a physical therapist might significantly impact your pay. Advanced degrees and years of expertise are necessary for most high-gainful jobs in the industry.

Meanwhile, entry-level roles are only open to those without these qualifications.

Colossal salaries don’t accompany such occupations. However, you’ll gain experience while working. Experienced PTAs receive around $79,000.

  • Geographical Location

Where you live can affect your salary structure as an expert in this field.

Regions with a high cost of living and increased demand for practitioners pay handsome amounts. This is to enable workers to cope with the high living expenses.

On the other hand, regions with low living costs and a high demand for physical therapists often pay meager amounts. Before accepting a job offer, you’ll need to consider this factor.

  • Work Environment

As with other professions, the industry or healthcare facility you work in will determine your earnings.

Some organizations pay PTAs higher amounts than others. For instance, practitioners working in hospitals earn more than those in schools.

Other lucrative jobs include pediatric physical therapy assistant, biological therapy specialties, therapist doctor, encompass physical therapy, and private practice.

  • Certification

After satisfying the essential academic requirements for becoming a PTA, you must obtain attestation from relevant agencies.

Such a document will showcase your knowledge and skills in the field to potential employers. Moreover, it will also qualify you for several high-paying jobs.

Some certifications you can obtain in this field include CPTA, LPTA, COMT, CSCS, CSMCS, CRRN, ATC, ACLS, APTA-CICP, ABPTS-NPT, and NSCA-PES.

Recognized organizations such as APTA offer all these qualifications, among others.

  • Possibility of Travel

PTAs travel to different places to care for patients with mobility issues. Such practitioners are called “traveling physical therapy assistants.”

Because the job is hectic, there’s a difference in how much they’re paid. In most cases, traveling PTAs receive higher amounts than typical workers in the field.

Top-Paying States for PTAs

Some states in the U.S. are known to pay the highest amount. You’ll take home a handsome amount annually if you work in such regions.

Some conditions that deliver the highest salary include California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Texas. You can earn between $69,730 and $78,920 per year.

However, the amount you’ll take home depends on the abovementioned factors.

Top-Paying Cities for PTAs

Similarly, some metropolitan areas in the country pay physical therapy assistants excellently.

Their average salaries are higher than the national average. This further allows economic advancement by changing locations, as practitioners are exceedingly fruitful.

PTAs working in such regions are like a gold mine. You’ll make around $77,390 to $94,860 in a year.

Such cities include San Jose Sunnyvale Santa Clara; New York, NY; Renton, WA; Standford, CA; and San Francisco Oakland Hayward, CA.

Others are CA, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, CA; Huston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX; Merced, CA; Daily City, CA; Los Altos, CA; Berkeley, CA; and more.

High-Paying PTA Jobs

Although PTA is rewarding, certain specialties pay more than a typical salary. Such things include pediatric PTA, PT, home care PTA, therapist doctor, and work-from-home E therapy.

Workers in this sector receive around $97,174 to $103,749 annually.

Employee Benefits

Besides salary, there are other bonuses or benefits you’ll enjoy while working in this field.

One of them is commuter assistance, which can form a stipend. The aim is to help with public transport costs or parking spots closer to the office.

You’ll also be able to continue your education since most states require such credentials to maintain your license. Your place of work can offer to cover the costs of CEUs or reimburse you for courses you take.

Furthermore, you may benefit from a paid-time offer to help ensure you take time and rest when you feel ill or burned out.

Health and life insurance, a wellness program, a retirement plan, and professional development assistance are other benefits you may enjoy as a PTA.

The work of a physical therapy assistant is quite interesting. Certification and training are required for entry into this industry, with the potential for high wages depending on location.

However, income can be influenced by various factors. So consider them before accepting a job offer.