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Job outlook for physical therapy attendants in the United States
Are physical therapy attendant jobs in demand?
Physical therapy attendant job and salary trends over time
Physical therapy attendant jobs over time
Physical therapy attendant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 131 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 142 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 152 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 146 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 152 | 0.00% |
Average physical therapy attendant salary over time
Physical therapy attendant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,324 | $18.91 | +5.4% |
| 2024 | $37,320 | $17.94 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $36,269 | $17.44 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $35,564 | $17.10 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | $35,495 | $17.07 | +2.2% |
Physical therapy attendant jobs by state
Most common states for physical therapy attendants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 207 | 33% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 120 | 21% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,315 | 19% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,149 | 19% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 130 | 18% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 222 | 17% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 177 | 17% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 311 | 16% |
| 9 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 290 | 16% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 137 | 16% |
| 11 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,051 | 15% |
| 12 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 444 | 15% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 154 | 15% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 435 | 14% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 186 | 14% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,071 | 13% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 812 | 13% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 735 | 13% |
| 19 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 653 | 13% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 276 | 13% |
Most common cities for physical therapy attendants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texarkana | 1 | 3% | $30,087 |
| 2 | Glendale | 2 | 1% | $33,593 |
Physical Therapy Attendant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of physical therapy attendant experts
Concordia University
University of New England
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Physical Therapy Attendants?
Elizabeth Paly: According to Dr. Robert Barnhart, director and Dr. Elizabeth Paly Associate Professor at Concordia University's Doctoral Physical Therapy Program in Mequon, WI it is really too soon to predict because we are still in the midst of the pandemic.
What soft skills should all Physical Therapy Attendants possess?
Elizabeth Paly: Soft skills that are becoming increasingly more favorable in the work environment include active listening and communication skills, willingness to collaborate with others, creativity, and adaptability to changing situations.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Physical Therapy Attendant job market given the pandemic?
Tara Paradie: While I truly have not been studying the official trends, what I have been experience with my new graduates with Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees is that there is a lot of hiring that is part time, or reduced time, hoping that those positions will move to full-time positions as the conditions of the pandemic change. New graduates have accepted positions for 30 hours, 32 hours, and have also taken per-deim positions as they await more full-time positions becoming available.
What technical skills for a Physical Therapy Attendant stand out to employers?
Tara Paradie: Again, my experience has been in the health care field--and I believe that employers are looking for graduates who are confident and bring their health care skills to the table, ready to assist and relieve the current workforce who has been working overtime to keep patients healthy and safe. The ability to be flexible and apply what they have learned in school immediately will be valued. I believe this to be true of any of the health professions that I am affiliated with--physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing and nurse anesthesia, dental medicine and dental hygiene, social work and pharmacy.
What's a good job out of college for Physical Therapy Attendants?
Tara Paradie: From our perspective, any that I have listed are all good jobs and are typically in high demand. Covid has changed the landscape, and I have not had a long enough experience with new graduates moving into this new economy to guess overall how the health care climate may have changed in the long term. My guess is that the demand will continue on, with new and heightened opportunities as patients are recovering from complications of Covid.