Average Salary of a Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical-therapy assistants work with clients to relieve pain and improve their strength and mobility. Working under the supervision of a physical therapist, assistants teach these clients therapeutic exercises and help them with the exercises when necessary. Patients may be experiencing problems from strokes, head injuries, sports injuries, work-related injuries, arthritis, disorders such as cerebral palsy, and more. Most physical therapy assistants have an associate's degree.
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Starting Salary
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The median starting hourly wage for physical-therapy assistants as of 2009 was about $18.50, with an increase to $22 after five years, according to salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Payscale website.
Average Salary
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The average salary for physical-therapy assistants as of 2008 was about $22 hourly, or $46,000 annually.
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General Range
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About 80 percent of physical-therapist assistants were earning between $28,500 and $64,000 in 2008. The middle 50 percent were earning between $37,000 and $55,000.
High-Paying Opportunities
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Higher-paying opportunities generally were available in home health care, with a median around $56,000, and nursing-care or extended-care facilities, at around $50,000.
Advancement Opportunities
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Advancement opportunities leading to higher salaries include specializing in geriatric or pediatric therapy or sports injuries. Many physical-therapy assistants advance to administration positions or become a physical therapist after obtaining a bachelor's degree.
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