How Much Do Physical Therapist Assistants Make in 2026? (PTA Salary)
Updated
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in the US earn $62,770 on average — with travel and SNF positions paying $70,000-$95,000.
Average PTA Salary in 2026
Metric
Amount
Average PTA salary
$62,770
Median PTA salary
$61,180
Entry level (new grad)
$48,000-$55,000
Mid-career (5-10 years)
$60,000-$70,000
Experienced (10+ years)
$68,000-$78,000
Top 10% earn
$80,000+
Hourly rate (average)
$30.18
PTA Salary by Work Setting
Setting
Average Salary
Home Health
$72,000
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
$70,000
Hospital (acute care)
$65,000
Outpatient Clinic
$60,000
School System
$58,000
Pediatric Clinic
$56,000
Sports/Orthopedic Clinic
$62,000
Travel PTA
$75,000-$95,000*
*Including stipends and benefits
Why SNF and Home Health Pay More
Medicare reimbursement rates favorable
Less desirable working conditions (for some)
High demand for PTAs
Productivity requirements
Staffing challenges in some areas
PTA Salary by State
Highest Paying States
State
Average Salary
Nevada
$78,000
New Jersey
$76,000
California
$75,000
Texas
$72,000
Connecticut
$71,000
Alaska
$70,000
Lowest Paying States
State
Average Salary
West Virginia
$48,000
Louisiana
$50,000
Mississippi
$51,000
Arkansas
$52,000
South Dakota
$53,000
PTA Salary by Experience
Experience Level
Average Salary
New Graduate (0-1 year)
$50,000
1-3 years
$55,000
3-5 years
$60,000
5-10 years
$67,000
10-15 years
$72,000
15+ years
$75,000+
PTA Salary vs. Physical Therapist
Role
Average Salary
Education
Physical Therapist Assistant
$62,770
Associate’s (2 years)
Physical Therapist (PT)
$97,720
DPT (7 years total)
Difference
$34,950 less
5 fewer years school
PTAs earn ~64% of PT salary with significantly less education investment.
PTA Salary After Taxes
Gross Salary
Federal Tax
FICA
State Tax (avg)
Take-Home
$50,000
$4,200
$3,825
$2,000
$39,975
$62,770
$6,900
$4,802
$2,511
$48,557
$75,000
$9,500
$5,738
$3,000
$56,762
$85,000
$12,100
$6,503
$3,400
$62,997
Travel PTA Earnings
Travel PTAs can earn significantly more:
Component
Amount
Weekly take-home
$1,400-$2,000
Annual (50 weeks)
$70,000-$100,000
Housing stipend
Often $800-$1,500/week
Travel reimbursement
Often included
Tax advantages apply if maintaining tax home
PRN/Per Diem PTA Rates
Experience
Hourly Rate
New grad
$28-$35/hr
2-5 years
$32-$42/hr
5+ years
$38-$50/hr
Specialized
$45-$55/hr
PRN rates are typically 20-40% higher than staff positions but without benefits.
How to Earn More as a PTA
SNF or Home Health — Generally highest pay
Travel assignments — $75K-$95K potential
Relocate to high-paying states — NV, NJ, CA
PRN/per diem work — Higher hourly rates
Specialize — Orthopedics, neuro, pediatrics
Work overtime — If available
Weekend/evening shifts — Often pay differentials
Certifications — May boost pay modestly
Education & Licensing
PTA Program
Requirement
Details
Degree
Associate’s (APTA accredited)
Duration
2 years
Clinical rotations
Required
Cost
$10,000-$50,000
Licensure exam
NPTE-PTA
License renewal
State-specific CE requirements
Return on Investment
Factor
PTA
PT
Education cost
$15,000-$50,000
$100,000-$200,000
Time to degree
2 years
7 years
Starting salary
$50,000
$75,000
Mid-career salary
$65,000
$95,000
Debt-to-income
Excellent
Challenging
Job Outlook for PTAs
Metric
Data
Projected growth (2022-2032)
25% (much faster than average)
Annual job openings
8,700
Demand drivers
Aging population, chronic conditions
Hot areas
SNF, home health, geriatrics
Is PTA a Good Career?
Pros:
Strong salary for 2-year degree ($63K average)
Excellent job growth (25%)
Meaningful, hands-on work
Good work-life balance
Multiple work settings
Travel opportunities
Lower debt than PT
Cons:
Limited advancement (PTA is ceiling without more school)
Physical demands (lifting, standing)
Productivity pressure in some settings
Some states limiting PTA scope
Can be repetitive
Bottom Line
Physical therapist assistants earn $62,770/year on average, with SNF, home health, and travel PTAs reaching $70,000-$95,000. The profession offers excellent job growth (25%) and strong pay for a 2-year degree investment. While limited in advancement (would need PT degree to supervise), PTAs enjoy meaningful work, flexible settings, and favorable debt-to-income ratios compared to many healthcare careers.