Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for physical therapy technicians in the United States
Physical therapy technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected physical therapy technician job growth rate is 24% from 2018-2028.
About 33,900 new jobs for physical therapy technicians are projected over the next decade.
Physical therapy technician salaries have increased 6% for physical therapy technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 66,087 physical therapy technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 66,670 active physical therapy technician job openings in the US.
The average physical therapy technician salary is $35,161.
Are physical therapy technician jobs in demand?
Physical therapy technician job and salary trends over time
Physical therapy technician jobs over time
Physical therapy technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66,087 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 68,384 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 72,630 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 69,457 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 69,653 | 0.02% |
Average physical therapy technician salary over time
Physical therapy technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,161 | $16.90 | +1.7% |
| 2025 | $34,584 | $16.63 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $34,143 | $16.41 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $33,784 | $16.24 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $33,302 | $16.01 | +2.6% |
Physical therapy technician jobs by state
Most common states for physical therapy technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 471 | 35% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 191 | 31% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 145 | 20% |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 343 | 19% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,269 | 18% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 230 | 17% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 165 | 16% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 153 | 16% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 136 | 16% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 552 | 15% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 291 | 15% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 82 | 14% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 718 | 13% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 419 | 13% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 708 | 12% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 347 | 12% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 959 | 11% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 744 | 11% |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 687 | 11% |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 79 | 11% |
Most common cities for physical therapy technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesterfield | 2 | 5% | $36,706 |
| 2 | Farmington Hills | 3 | 4% | $35,846 |
| 3 | Southfield | 3 | 4% | $36,061 |
| 4 | Towson | 2 | 4% | $47,818 |
| 5 | Livonia | 3 | 3% | $35,842 |
| 6 | Novi | 2 | 3% | $35,693 |
| 7 | Saint Clair Shores | 2 | 3% | $36,550 |
| 8 | Shelby | 2 | 3% | $36,381 |
| 9 | Algonquin | 1 | 3% | $33,355 |
| 10 | Warren | 2 | 1% | $36,386 |
| 11 | Amarillo | 1 | 1% | $25,952 |
| 12 | Ann Arbor | 1 | 1% | $35,339 |
| 13 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $36,497 |
| 14 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $33,639 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $35,533 |
| 16 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $47,725 |
Physical Therapy Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of physical therapy technician experts
Concordia University
University of New England
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Physical Therapy Technicians?
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 certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Physical Therapy Technicians?
Elizabeth Paly: In the field of Physical Therapy to improve job prospects, become licensed. A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification (CSCS) is helpful. Also, a dual certification as Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) could be useful depending on the setting that you work. Given the increased prevalence of those diagnosed with Parkinson Disease, becoming certified in The Lee Silverman Voice Training- Big (LSVT-Big) Program can also be increasingly favorable.
What soft skills should all Physical Therapy Technicians 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 Technician 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 Technician 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 Technicians?
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.