Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

How to become a Physical Therapist Aide

Official title: Physical Therapist Aides

Also called: Physical Therapist Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Aide (PTA), PT Attendant (Physical Therapy Attendant), PT Tech (Physical Therapist Technician), PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician), Rehabilitation Aide, Rehabilitation Attendant, Rehabilitation Technician (Rehabilitation Tech), Restorative Aide (RA), Therapy Aide

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.

Main tasks

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.

How to become one

Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate's degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Physical Therapy Aide.
Licence: A licence is required in 14 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $35,240 a year The middle half earn $30,410 to $38,810.
About 49,000 people work in this job now, and about 51,000 are projected by 2035. (+4%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Physical Therapist Aide?

How much does a Physical Therapist Aide earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $35,240 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $30,410 to $38,810.

Is a Physical Therapist Aide a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 49,000 to about 51,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Physical Therapist Aide?

Not always. 39% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Physical Therapy Aide.

Will AI change the work of a Physical Therapist Aide?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.