How much does a physical therapist aide make?
The median physical therapist aide in the United States earns $35,240 per year, about $16.94 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all physical therapist aides earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 31-2022.
Physical therapist aide salary range
Pay for physical therapist aides spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $25,360 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $47,780. The average (mean) wage of $36,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,360 | $12.19 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $30,410 | $14.62 | |
| Median (50th) | $35,240 | $16.94 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $38,810 | $18.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $47,780 | $22.97 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for physical therapist aides (SOC 31-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Physical therapist aide salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Physical therapist aides earn the most in Alaska at $55,760 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $22,460. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 | 150 |
| Colorado | $41,970 | 360 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 | 130 |
| Maine | $39,660 | 90 |
| Washington | $39,500 | 760 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 | 30 |
| Montana | $38,950 | 110 |
| California | $38,330 | 7,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | 1,020 |
| Ohio | $37,220 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $36,820 | 840 |
| Illinois | $36,650 | 680 |
| Oregon | $36,060 | 1,090 |
| Connecticut | $35,770 | 520 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,520 | 1,200 |
| Kentucky | $35,490 | 160 |
| New York | $35,380 | 4,950 |
| Arizona | $35,260 | 1,340 |
| Florida | $35,140 | 1,210 |
| Indiana | $35,100 | 860 |
| West Virginia | $34,840 | 170 |
| Maryland | $34,780 | 830 |
| North Carolina | $34,760 | 1,050 |
| New Jersey | $34,430 | 2,230 |
| Delaware | $34,060 | 300 |
| Hawaii | $33,810 | 60 |
| Virginia | $33,390 | 1,260 |
| South Carolina | $33,280 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $31,990 | 240 |
| Nevada | $31,970 | 900 |
| Texas | $31,590 | 5,710 |
| South Dakota | $31,330 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 | 280 |
| Georgia | $30,550 | 1,200 |
| Wyoming | $30,470 | 240 |
| Tennessee | $30,320 | 710 |
| Arkansas | $29,450 | 160 |
| Michigan | $29,350 | 1,810 |
| Missouri | $29,250 | 750 |
| Utah | $29,150 | 1,130 |
| Iowa | $29,120 | 390 |
| Idaho | $28,660 | 540 |
| Nebraska | $28,080 | 670 |
| Oklahoma | $27,630 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $27,370 | 270 |
| Alabama | $27,290 | 750 |
| Kansas | $25,280 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $22,460 | 1,380 |
State median wages for physical therapist aides (SOC 31-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for physical therapist aides
The BLS projects employment of physical therapist aides to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 49,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 51,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,400 openings a year for physical therapist aides. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a physical therapist aide
The typical entry-level education for physical therapist aides is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a physical therapist aide earns
Certification, work setting, shift, and region shape pay. Hospitals and high cost metros pay above clinics, nursing homes, and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $55,760) and the lowest (Louisiana, $22,460) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 48,150 people work as physical therapist aides in the United States. At $35,240 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Physical therapist aide salary FAQ
How much does a physical therapist aide make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a physical therapist aide is $16.94. The middle half of physical therapist aides earn between $14.62 and $18.66 per hour.
What is the highest physical therapist aide salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of physical therapist aides earn more than $47,780 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a physical therapist aide make a year?
The median annual salary for a physical therapist aide is $35,240. The average (mean) wage of $36,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a physical therapist aide a well paid job?
At $35,240 a year, a physical therapist aide earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 48,150 people work as physical therapist aides in the United States.
Which state pays physical therapist aides the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for physical therapist aides at $55,760 a year. Minnesota ($42,330) and Colorado ($41,970) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a physical therapist aide a good career?
Employment of physical therapist aides is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a physical therapist aide?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for physical therapist aides as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Healthcare Support salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.