Physical Therapist Assistant Salary

As one of the 50 Best Careers of 2011, this shows very strong growth over the next decade

The median expected salary for a typical Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in the United States is $45,726. This basic market pricing report was prepared using the Certified Compensation Professionals’ analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies.

The basics of physical therapist assistant job

If you are the type of person that would want to help a stroke victim learn to walk again, ease the suffering of a child with cerebral palsy, or help someone overcome a debilitating injury, then perhaps this is the career for you. Physical therapist assistants are an integral part of a therapeutic team, helping patients recoveries from illness, accidents, or surgery.

Using therapy techniques ranging from exercise and hydrotherapy to ultrasound, electrical stimulation, this career involves proficiency in a variety of methods for lessening pain or restoring physical function. It also requires a blend of both sensible and personal skills. Emotional intelligence matters almost as much as IQ, since therapy involves close physical communication with patients who are enduring what can be a occasionally frustrating and painful course of action.

Also, organizational skills matter nearly as much, since scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, and running an office are also many times a critical part of the job. Most jobs are located in therapist’s offices or hospitals, but therapists can also work at sports facilities, schools, or nursing homes.

The outlook for physical therapist assistants

Job prospects are predictable to remain very good, and skilled assistants are expected to have the best opportunities. Between 2010 and 2018, the field is expected to grow by about 33 percent, adding 21,200 jobs, according to the Labor Department. “It’s definitely a growth area,” says physical therapist Janet Crosier. Crosier, who also oversees the American Physical Therapy Association’s Physical Therapist Assistant Services program, says the areas with the most demand for PTAs include skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics.

Physical therapist assistant’s salary

Median annual wages for physical therapy assistants were $48,290 in 2009. The lowest-paid 10 percent of the field made less than $30,400, while the highest-paid 10 percent made more than $66,460. Broadly, assistants working in the home health care field or in nursing homes earn the most, while those based in physicians offices or hospitals earned slightly less.

Upward mobility a plus

Many assistants move into administrative roles in larger therapy programs, or more specialized clinical areas, such as geriatric or pediatric therapy programs.

Activity level – the reality of this job

Physical therapy can be tiring work, and not just for the patient. Long hours of standing, stooping, and kneeling are required, as is the strength to repeatedly lift or support the weight of another person.

Stress level can be a factor

The physical and mental requirements of working with ailing patients add to stress levels, but hours are generally regular (although they can include evenings or weekends to accommodate patient schedules).

Education and preparation:

While hands-on experience is the biggest chunk of the learning curve, many states require assistants to hold at least an associates degree from a two-year program. Some states also license physical therapy assistants, a process that can include requirements such as CPR certification or a minimum number of hours worked in a clinical setting.

Real advice from real people about landing a job as a physical therapist assistant:

First and foremost, Crosier says, PTA hopefuls must graduate from an accredited program. Well-rounded exposure to the physical therapy field and experience in office management can also give you a leg up. “[Physical therapist assistants] can’t do evaluations but if they have skills in management and coding and billing, it will make them more employable,” Crosier says. A collaborative approach to treatment plans and strong people skills are desirable as well. “The most important thing they need to realize is that they are assisting the physical therapist. They have to be a teammate,” she says. “We totally rely on their interpersonal skills with the patient.”

Physical Therapy Assistant Program