What do they do?

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.

Also known as:

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

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Physical Therapist Aides is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • 0%

    Change

    Ranks #50 in job growth rate
    100

    Job Openings

    Ranks #27 in net job growth

Best colleges for Physical Therapist Aides

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Colleges with the most graduates that become Physical Therapist Aides

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • Associate's degree  (50%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (30%)
  • Some college, no degree  (9%)
  • High school diploma equivalent  (5%)
  • Master's degree  (3%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (2%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Physical Therapist Aides

Select Type of Degree:

  • #1
    • Degrees Granted

      81
    • Female Students

      79
    • Male Students

      2
    • Median Starting Salary

      $31,400
  • #2
    • Degrees Granted

      1,665
    • Female Students

      1,599
    • Male Students

      66
    • Median Starting Salary

      $32,000

People in this career often have these skills:

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

People in this career often know a lot about:

  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

People in this career often have talent in:

  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
  • Clean medical equipment.
  • Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
  • Engage patients in exercises or activities.
  • Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
  • Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
  • Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
  • Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
  • Maintain medical records.
  • Move patients to or from treatment areas.
  • Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
  • Perform clerical work in medical settings.
  • Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
  • Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
  • Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
  • Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
  • Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
  • Assist patients with daily activities.
  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
  • Fit patients for assistive devices.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.3 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

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

careeronestop logo Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

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