A physical therapist assistant helps patients recover from injury and manage pain under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with an associate degree. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
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Physical therapist assistants work directly with patients to carry out treatment plans designed by physical therapists. You help patients perform therapeutic exercises, apply heat or cold treatments, and use equipment to improve mobility and strength. You monitor how patients respond to treatment and report back to your supervising therapist. You document patient progress in medical records and communicate regularly with the therapy team. The work is physical and requires you to be on your feet, often helping patients move and support their bodies as they heal.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Physical Therapist Assistants earn a median of $68,380 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 22 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 19,800 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You will need an associate degree from an accredited program in physical therapy assisting. These programs combine classroom learning in anatomy, physiology, and therapy techniques with hands-on clinical practice. During your studies, you will learn patient care, medical documentation, and how to work safely with people recovering from injury or illness. After completing your degree, you will need to pass a licensing exam to practice. Most programs take two years to complete and prepare you directly for entry-level work in clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
The main route is earning an associate degree in physical therapy assisting, which typically takes two years. If you are deciding between programs or want to map out your next steps, Pathly can map the physical therapist assistant path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to find the right fit for your timeline and goals.
Many physical therapist assistants must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to work that centers on helping others heal and improve. You listen carefully, communicate clearly, and build trust with the people you support.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).