Physical Therapist Aides
SOC code 31-2022 · O*NET-SOC 31-2022.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Healthcare
Physical Therapist Aides pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$35,240
a year
Hourly
$16.94
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$36,430
$17.52 per hour
Middle 50%
$30,410 – $38,810
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$25,360 – $47,780
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
48,150
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $25,360
- $12.19/hr
- 25th percentile
- $30,410
- $14.62/hr
- Median percentile
- $35,240
- $16.94/hr
- 75th percentile
- $38,810
- $18.66/hr
- 90th percentile
- $47,780
- $22.97/hr
What does a physical therapist aide 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.
The tasks that matter most 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.
- Record treatment given and equipment used.
How to become a physical therapist aide
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 34% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)34%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree25%
- Less than a High School Diploma10%
- Doctoral Degree10%
Common questions
How much does a physical therapist aide earn?
The national median is $35,240 a year. The full range runs from $25,360 at the 10th percentile to $47,780 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a physical therapist aide without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- 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
- Administrative2.8/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.