How to hire a physical therapist assistant

How to hire a physical therapist assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step physical therapist assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a physical therapist assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new physical therapist assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a physical therapist assistant do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your physical therapist assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a physical therapist assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a physical therapist assistant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a physical therapist assistant that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of physical therapist assistants and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Physical Therapist Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Physical Therapist Assistant	Physical therapist assistants, sometimes called PTAs, and physical therapist aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage pain.	$19-33
   Rehab Technician	A rehab technician's role is to assist physical therapists and patients in a hospital or similar facility. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around gathering a patient's personal information and medical history, escorting them to corresponding rooms, and conducting initial tests and assessments... Show more	$10-17
   Rehabilitation Aide	A rehabilitation aide is responsible for assisting patients with injuries, mental disorders, and illnesses in their treatment plans and medications. Rehabilitation aides monitor the patients' progress and update attending physicians regarding their conditions... Show more	$10-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Rehabilitation
   • Home Health
   • PTA
   • Physical Therapy Treatment
   • Quality Care
   • Direct Supervision
   • SNF
   • PET
   • Physical Therapy Interventions
   • Physical Therapy
   • Compassion
   • Direct Patient Care
   • ADL

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage a diverse caseload including, but not limit to CVA's, cardiac care, Alzheimer's and sub acute orthopedics
   • Provide patients at a SNF with ROM exercises, transfer and gait training as well as balance and bed mobility exercises.
   • Provide physical therapy treatment as directed by physical therapist as PRN PTA for inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation and community hospital settings.
   • Care of patients in acute and ICU settings.
   • Work with adult, geriatrics, burns, ulcers and ICU patients
   • Prepare iontophoresis patches, give cervical and/or lumbar hot packs to clients.

   More physical therapist assistant duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your physical therapist assistant job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A physical therapist assistant salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a physical therapist assistant in Hawaii may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level physical therapist assistant usually earns less than a senior-level physical therapist assistant. Additionally, a physical therapist assistant with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average physical therapist assistant salary

   $53,035yearly

   $25.50 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level physical therapist assistant salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

   Average physical therapist assistant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$61,652	$30
   2	Maine	$61,358	$30
   3	Massachusetts	$60,119	$29
   4	Washington	$58,711	$28
   5	Nebraska	$58,359	$28
   6	Oregon	$56,989	$27
   7	New Jersey	$56,863	$27
   8	Colorado	$56,483	$27
   9	Maryland	$56,467	$27
   10	Georgia	$55,958	$27
   11	New York	$54,560	$26
   12	Tennessee	$53,190	$26
   13	Illinois	$52,299	$25
   14	North Carolina	$51,960	$25
   15	Virginia	$51,123	$25
   16	Indiana	$50,989	$25
   17	Florida	$50,666	$24
   18	New Mexico	$50,606	$24
   19	Arizona	$50,245	$24
   20	Pennsylvania	$50,175	$24

   Average physical therapist assistant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Children's Hospital Colorado	$72,003	$34.62
   2	Brigham and Women's Hospital	$66,863	$32.15	12
   3	Massachusetts General Hospital	$66,609	$32.02
   4	UMass Memorial Health	$65,024	$31.26	6
   5	Mount Sinai Health System	$64,826	$31.17	12
   6	HopeWest	$64,323	$30.92	2
   7	Rady Children's Hospital And Health Center	$64,043	$30.79
   8	Amedisys	$63,142	$30.36	83
   9	Favorite Healthcare Staffing	$63,042	$30.31
   10	GradyHealth	$62,699	$30.14
   11	NHC	$62,122	$29.87	65
   12	Health Alliance	$62,104	$29.86	5
   13	Novant Health	$61,980	$29.80	5
   14	Florida State University	$61,852	$29.74
   15	Residential Home Health	$61,257	$29.45	1
   16	Encompass Health	$60,770	$29.22	521
   17	Mission Regional Medical Center	$60,354	$29.02	9
   18	Regional Medical Center- Orangeburg	$60,342	$29.01	1
   19	Sturdy Memorial Hospital	$60,208	$28.95
   20	Sparrow Health System	$60,161	$28.92	8

4. Writing a physical therapist assistant job description

   A physical therapist assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a physical therapist assistant job description:

   Physical therapist assistant job description example

   This job assumes responsibility for and provides routine treatment as assigned according to plan of are provided by a licensed Physical Therapist. Provides direct patient care after the patient has been evaluated by a licensed Physical Therapist and documents patient progress in daily progress notes and/or summaries to physicians.
   
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
   
   This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.
   Education Required -Associate's degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program
   Work Experience Required -None.
   Certifications Required - Current Physical Therapy Assistant license in the state of practice or eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity from another state
   Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of patient information. Must be proficient with Windows-style applications and keyboard. Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process. Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of information Must be proficient with Windows-style applications, various software packages specific to role and keyboard Strong organizational skills Good interpersonal skills
   Job Duties Performs physical therapy treatments as prescribed by the physician under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Communicates and documents any changes in patient's status and informs therapist of patient's reassessment. Maintains patient records according to documentation standards, policies and procedures. Participates in staff and committee projects. Achieves established productivity levels set forth by administration. May be required to educate and train others within discipline. Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to: respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
   Other related duties as required. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.
   
   Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.
   This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.
   
   The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
   Physical and Environmental Demands
   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible. Mechanical lifting devices (e.g. carts, dollies, etc.) or team lifts should be utilized.
   Must be able to stoop, bend, reach, squat, crawl and grab with arms and hands, manual dexterity.
   Must be able to travel throughout and between facilities.
   
   Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.
   
   The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.
   
   Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find physical therapist assistants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your physical therapist assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit physical therapist assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting physical therapist assistants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new physical therapist assistant

   Once you've selected the best physical therapist assistant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new physical therapist assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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