Physical Therapy Assistant Salary
Physical therapy assistant salary rates vary according to the industry in which an individual works, their setting (such as a hospital, and outpatient care centre, or nursing care facility) and their location within the US.
In general, physical therapy assistants can earn almost twice as much as aides, in keeping with the greater extent of their responsibilities and scope of their training.
In 2010, the US Department of Labor estimated the median annual wage for PTAs at $49,690. There is quite a wide range in earnings, however, rising from $31,070 all the way up to $68,820.
Where Are Highest Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Levels Found?
The type of organization or facility in which an individual works can have a significant bearing on average earnings. Highest earnings tended to be found in settings such as home health care services, businesses and enterprise situations, nursing homes, and geriatric care facilities.
Meanwhile, the states in which the highest annual mean physical therapy assistant salary levels were generally concentrated included Texas ($62,440), California ($57,760), Connecticut ($56,180), Florida ($55,280), and Nevada ($54,800). It’s interesting to speculate the reasons why the highest PTA salary levels are found in these regions. One might have expected to see higher wages in metropolitan areas on either coast. And it may be significant that three of these states (California, Texas, and Florida) also have the highest employment levels for this job, along with Ohio and Pennsylvania.
On the other hand, it’s not surprising that, of all the industries, health practitioners are the largest single employer group of physical therapist assistants. Among these, however, physicians’ offices account for fewer than 10% of jobs, (2,910), with the remaining 26,800 jobs being found with other health care providers such as chiropractors, optometrists, mental health practitioners, occupational and speech therapists, and others.
The next major group is general medical and surgical hospitals (16,030), followed by nursing care homes (7,440) and home health care services (5,200). These are just some of the locations in which physical therapy assistants find employment. With such a widespread need from many different parts of the community, and growing demand for their services, it’s no wonder that this is a popular occupation that attracts a wide range of different people.
Licensing For Physical Therapy Assistants
A PTA needs to be licensed in order to practice, as well as having training to an associate degree level. The specific requirements for licensure or certification vary according to state. While the career may prove attractive because it does not need a four-year degree, an associate physical therapist assistant degree will likely take at least five semesters to complete, and prospective entrants to the profession will need to pass their licensing exam. In contrast, a physical therapy aide can usually receive their training on the job, so there tends to be a larger number of aides competing for those jobs.
There are currently around 270 accredited physical therapist assistant courses available across the country. Some of these may have an online study component, and candidates should expect to undertake practical clinical work in addition to their academic coursework. And, since different states’ requirements vary, it’s a good idea to get specific information from the licensing board where you live or intend to practice.
Physical therapy assistant salary rates and employment prospects make this a very popular job sector, and many schools have a high ratio of applicants to places for their courses.
