Healthcare Support
Physical Therapist Aides
Also called: Physical Therapist Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Aide (PTA), PT Attendant (Physical Therapy Attendant), PT Tech (Physical Therapist Technician)
US median pay
$35,240
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
6,400
49,000 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
What they do day to day
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
- Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
- Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
- Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.3/5
- Psychology3.0/5
- Public Safety and Security2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma34%
- Associate's degree25%
- Doctoral degree10%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.