Physical Therapist Aides
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.
Common Job Titles
- PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician)
- Physical Therapist Aide (PTA)
- Physical Therapy Aide (PTA)
- Rehabilitation Technician (Rehabilitation Tech)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- Hands-onPrepare patients and treatment areas for physical therapy sessions under close supervision, following established safety and infection control protocols.Developing
- Hands-onHandle assistive devices including walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and gait belts during patient mobility activities under therapist direction.Developing
- Hands-onOperate therapeutic equipment such as electrical stimulation units, hot and cold packs, and hydraulic lifts following delegated protocols in clinical settings.Developing
- MindsetEngage patients with empathy and respect during routine care activities while maintaining professional boundaries and patient dignity.Developing
- KnowledgeDiscuss patient status observations and treatment area needs with supervising physical therapists and assistants to ensure continuity of care.Developing
- Hands-onExecute patient documentation and data entry tasks using electronic health record systems such as Epic and MEDITECH under supervision.Developing
- KnowledgeExplain basic exercise instructions and safety procedures to patients as delegated by supervising therapists, using clear and accessible language.Developing
- KnowledgeDemonstrate routine treatment procedures and equipment use following established clinical protocols to support patient care.Developing
- Hands-onPerform treatment area maintenance tasks including equipment cleaning and supply restocking to maintain safe and organized clinical environments.Developing
- MindsetRespond to patient needs and concerns with appropriate urgency while recognizing when to escalate issues to supervising therapists.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Physical Therapist Aides (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
44,010
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $24,960. 25th percentile: U.S. $29,710. 50th percentile: U.S. $34,520. 75th percentile: U.S. $38,240. 90th percentile: U.S. $46,930. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $24,960 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $46,930 |
| Workers on average earn | $35,510 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.3/5
- Psychology3.0/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
- Medical procedure coding software
- Patient record maintenance software
- Scheduling software
- Word processing software
Tools & Equipment
- Anti-embolism elastic stockings
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Canes
- Cold packs
- Crutches
- Electrical stimulation equipment
- Electronic blood pressure units
- Gait belts