Physical therapist assistant salary

Physical therapist assistants in the U.S. earn a median $68,380 a year.

Median pay
$68,380
Median hourly
$32.88
Typical range
$47,750–$89,510
Jobs
112,430

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for physical therapist assistants in the U.S.
PercentileAnnual pay
10th (entry level)$47,750
25th$59,820
Median$68,380
75th$78,680
90th (top earners)$89,510

Pay in the biggest metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$82,1403,730
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$72,2303,520
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$72,5303,420
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$75,6203,220
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$77,2802,210
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$80,3702,110
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$62,2201,880
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$80,4301,860
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$71,5401,650
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ$64,7201,440

Physical therapist assistant salary by state

  1. 1California$83,110
  2. 2Massachusetts$79,460
  3. 3New Jersey$78,440
  4. 4Texas$78,000
  5. 5Maryland$77,670
  6. 6Alaska$77,640
  7. 7Connecticut$75,880
  8. 8Nevada$75,520
  9. 9Delaware$74,610
  10. 10Virginia$73,760
  11. 11Oregon$73,180
  12. 12Georgia$72,800
  13. 13Florida$72,530
  14. 14Vermont$71,600
  15. 15New Hampshire$71,440
  16. 16South Carolina$70,500
  17. 17Rhode Island$68,640
  18. 18North Carolina$67,540
  19. 19Hawaii$67,510
  20. 20Minnesota$66,770
  21. 21Washington$66,450
  22. 22Maine$66,250
  23. 23Louisiana$65,370
  24. 24Indiana$65,280
  25. 25Illinois$65,240
  26. 26Colorado$64,810
  27. 27Arizona$64,650
  28. 28Arkansas$64,520
  29. 29Kansas$64,500
  30. 30New York$64,100
  31. 31Wisconsin$64,080
  32. 32Ohio$63,820
  33. 33Missouri$63,770
  34. 34Wyoming$63,550
  35. 35North Dakota$63,520
  36. –District of Columbia$63,400
  37. 36Montana$62,650
  38. 37Pennsylvania$62,580
  39. 38Tennessee$62,500
  40. 39New Mexico$62,280
  41. 40Utah$61,980
  42. 41Mississippi$61,770
  43. 42Michigan$61,670
  44. 43Kentucky$61,480
  45. 44Alabama$61,430
  46. 45Nebraska$61,370
  47. 46Iowa$61,030
  48. 47Idaho$61,020
  49. 48West Virginia$60,430
  50. 49Oklahoma$59,480
  51. 50South Dakota$49,310
  52. –Puerto Rico$29,710

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools.

PTA programsHow to become a physical therapist assistant

Frequently asked questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make?

The median pay for physical therapist assistants in the U.S. is $68,380 a year ($32.88 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,750, and the top 10% earn over $89,510.

Which states pay physical therapist assistants the most?

The top-paying states are California ($83,110), Massachusetts ($79,460), New Jersey ($78,440), Texas ($78,000), Maryland ($77,670).

How can a physical therapist assistant earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a physical therapist assistant covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Physical Therapist Assistants, SOC 31-2021). Figures exclude self-employed workers.