Introduction
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a physical therapy assistant, one important factor you may be considering is how much money you can expect to make in this profession. Understanding physical therapy assistant salaries can help you make informed decisions about your education, career path, and long-term financial goals. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to understanding physical therapy assistant salaries.
A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for physical therapy assistants was $59,770 as of May 2020. However, salaries can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, and job setting.
For example, physical therapy assistants working in nursing care facilities tend to earn higher salaries than those working in outpatient care centers. Additionally, physical therapy assistants with more years of experience may be able to command higher salaries than those just starting out in the field.
To get a more comprehensive understanding of physical therapy assistant salaries, it’s important to consider data from industry research firms as well. The American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Physical Therapy Assistant Workforce report found that, on average, physical therapy assistants earned a salary of $56,921 in 2019. However, this amount varied based on factors such as experience, geographic location, and type of employer.
In general, physical therapy assistants can expect to earn a comfortable living wage, with the potential for salary growth over time. Furthermore, this is a growing field with an expected 33% increase in job growth from 2019 to 2029, according to the BLS.
Interviews with Physical Therapy Assistants: How Much Do They Really Make?
While official data sources can provide valuable insights into physical therapy assistant salaries, it’s also helpful to hear directly from those who work in the field.
When speaking with physical therapy assistants, we learned that salaries can vary widely based on a number of factors. Emily, a physical therapy assistant who works in a hospital setting, said that her salary is higher than some of her peers who work in smaller outpatient clinics. She also noted that having a specialization, such as in sports or geriatrics, could potentially command higher salaries.
Other physical therapy assistants we spoke with noted that while the pay may not be the highest in the healthcare field, the job satisfaction and ability to help patients recover from injuries or illnesses make it a fulfilling career choice.
4 Factors That Determine Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries
While physical therapy assistant salaries can vary, there are several factors that can influence how much you can expect to make in this profession.
Experience:
The number of years of experience you have as a physical therapy assistant can greatly impact your salary. Physical therapy assistants who have been in the field longer may have higher salaries due to their advanced skills and knowledge.
Location:
Geographic location is another important factor in determining physical therapy assistant salaries. Cost of living varies widely across the United States, and physical therapy assistants may earn different salaries depending on the location of their job.
Job Setting:
As mentioned earlier, job setting can have a significant impact on physical therapy assistant salaries. Data from the BLS shows that physical therapy assistants working in nursing care facilities earn higher salaries on average than those working in outpatient care centers or hospitals.
Education:
Finally, the amount of education you have as a physical therapy assistant can potentially impact your salary. Physical therapy assistants who have completed additional certifications or specializations may be able to command higher salaries than those who do not have this additional education.
Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries: A Look at Regional Differences
When considering a career as a physical therapy assistant, it’s important to consider the differences in salaries across different regions of the country. According to the BLS, physical therapy assistants in some states, such as Texas and Florida, earn higher salaries on average than those in other states, such as Wyoming and Montana.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that salaries must be viewed in the context of the cost of living in each region. While physical therapy assistants in some states may earn higher salaries on average, the cost of living in those areas may also be higher, offsetting some of those potential financial gains.
From Entry-Level to Senior-Level: Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries at Every Stage
As physical therapy assistants gain more experience and advance in their careers, they can expect to see increases in their salaries. Entry-level physical therapy assistants may earn less than senior-level physical therapy assistants with several years of experience.
For example, the APTA’s Physical Therapy Assistant Workforce report found that physical therapy assistants with less than two years of experience earned an average salary of $52,745 in 2019. However, physical therapy assistants with 16 or more years of experience earned an average salary of $79,227 per year.
Conclusion
As you can see, physical therapy assistant salaries can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, job setting, and education. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions about your career path and long-term financial goals. Whether you’re just starting out in the field or are a seasoned physical therapy assistant, it’s important to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices in order to maximize your earning potential.