Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in the US earn $68,730 on average — with travel and SNF positions paying $70,000-$95,000.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for physical therapist assistants, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 25th | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| 50th (median) | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| 75th | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| 90th | $89,510 | $43.03 |
| Average (mean) | $68,730 | $33.04 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Physical Therapist Assistants (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
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
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $83,080 | $59,500 | $83,110 |
| 2 | Alaska | $77,670 | $65,640 | $77,640 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $77,020 | $62,620 | $78,440 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $76,350 | $62,030 | $79,460 |
| 5 | Texas | $75,060 | $43,900 | $78,000 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $73,730 | $62,070 | $75,880 |
| 7 | Maryland | $73,000 | $39,260 | $77,670 |
| 8 | Nevada | $72,960 | $49,140 | $75,520 |
| 9 | Virginia | $72,710 | $54,170 | $73,760 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $72,140 | $59,540 | $71,440 |
| 11 | Vermont | $71,320 | $60,580 | $71,600 |
| 12 | Florida | $71,110 | $58,650 | $72,530 |
| 13 | Delaware | $71,070 | $51,750 | $74,610 |
| 14 | Oregon | $70,490 | $56,620 | $73,180 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $68,790 | $56,100 | $67,540 |
| 16 | Georgia | $68,580 | $43,400 | $72,800 |
| 17 | South Carolina | $68,260 | $47,510 | $70,500 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $67,980 | $58,380 | $68,640 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $67,730 | $58,010 | $66,770 |
| 20 | Colorado | $67,520 | $48,580 | $64,810 |
| 21 | Maine | $67,300 | $53,440 | $66,250 |
| 22 | Ohio | $67,260 | $51,280 | $63,820 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $67,130 | $45,750 | $63,400 |
| 24 | Kansas | $66,320 | $52,520 | $64,500 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $66,160 | $49,920 | $67,510 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $65,820 | $48,180 | $63,550 |
| 27 | Illinois | $65,810 | $41,600 | $65,240 |
| 28 | New York | $65,660 | $46,350 | $64,100 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $65,480 | $51,960 | $64,080 |
| 30 | Indiana | $65,470 | $46,410 | $65,280 |
| 31 | Montana | $65,320 | $52,310 | $62,650 |
| 32 | Missouri | $65,190 | $50,460 | $63,770 |
| 33 | Washington | $65,090 | $36,610 | $66,450 |
| 34 | Arizona | $64,970 | $36,160 | $64,650 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $64,500 | $31,540 | $64,520 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $64,060 | $48,010 | $62,500 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $63,820 | $49,610 | $62,580 |
| 38 | Alabama | $63,130 | $49,340 | $61,430 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $62,850 | $51,720 | $61,770 |
| 40 | Utah | $62,470 | $34,190 | $61,980 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $62,000 | $30,470 | $62,280 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $61,890 | $48,100 | $61,370 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $61,560 | $45,510 | $60,430 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $61,250 | $24,360 | $65,370 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $60,490 | $27,870 | $61,480 |
| 46 | North Dakota | $60,490 | $30,480 | $63,520 |
| 47 | Michigan | $60,260 | $35,700 | $61,670 |
| 48 | Iowa | $60,220 | $45,760 | $61,030 |
| 49 | Idaho | $60,200 | $37,780 | $61,020 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $57,990 | $24,960 | $59,480 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $52,170 | $40,120 | $49,310 |
| — | National | $68,730 | $47,750 | $68,380 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Physical Therapist Assistants (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Lowest Paying States
For current pay in every state, see the BLS state table on this page.
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 | Much less | 5 fewer years school |
PTAs earn ~64% of PT salary with significantly less education investment.
PTA Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $42,355 | $3,530 |
| $68,730 | $6,291 | $5,258 | $57,182 | $4,765 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $61,592 | $5,133 |
| $85,000 | $9,870 | $6,502 | $68,628 | $5,719 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
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 higher than staff pay but come 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 (2025-2035) | 17% |
| 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 a 2-year degree ($68,730 average, BLS)
- Excellent job growth (17%)
- 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 $68,730 a year on average (BLS, May 2025), with SNF, home health and travel PTAs often earning more. The profession offers excellent job growth (17%) 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.
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Medicare Program Information.” medicare.gov
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