PTA Salary Information

PTA Salary Information, Job Description, and Education

If you want to work as a healthcare professional, you should certainly find out more about the average PTA salary. Unlike other fields in medicine, opportunities for physical therapist assistants are not limited to traditional settings such as nursing care facilities, outpatient offices, and hospitals. Aside from receiving competitive compensation, this career will also give you the opportunity to work in schools and sports facilities. Experts also expect job growth to be headed in a positive direction, with employment for PTAs estimated to increase by 35%.

What is the average PTA salary?

The average PTA salary is $48,590. In the United States, the average salary for PTAs also ranges between $30,400 and $66,450. However, most of the jobs available for physical therapy assistants are offered in hospitals and healthcare offices, where PTAs can earn around $47,000. Due to a number of cost-control measures, job opportunities for PTAs are expected to increase. It is more practical for licensed physical therapists to allow assistants to administer a huge portion of whatever therapy plans they have laid out. The rising population of the elderly also increases the demand for physical therapy, as seniors need more of this form of therapy.

If you are willing to relocate, you will also find a handful of jobs available for physical therapy assistants in all states. Of course, relocating to a different state will also have an effect on your PTA salary. While the average salary in some states where the cost of living is lower may be $42,000, densely populated places such as New York City may offer salaries that are as high as $53,000 per year. Your salary will greatly depend on where you live but the national average for physical therapy assistant salaries will give you an idea of how much you will earn.

As a PTA, you will not make as much money as PTAs do but it requires less training and education anyway. When you compare the years of training you will need to become a physical therapist to the amount of education you will need as a PTA, the average PTA salary will certainly seem more sensible. Other factors that may affect your wages include your years of experience, your performance, and the type of facility you are currently working in. The longer you have stayed in this career and the better your performance has been, the higher your salary will be.

PTA Job Description

Now that you are already aware of the average PTA salary, it will be easier for you to decide if this type of career is right for you or not. Physical therapy assistants are essential to any rehabilitation team because they contribute a lot to the entire therapy plan. They work under close supervision of physical therapists and they only perform selected and delegated tasks. Being a physical therapy assistant is a great way to start your career if you have always been interested in helping people recover from illnesses or injuries. No special license is required for this job, which will of course benefit those who do not want to undergo intensive training.

Considering the limited tasks that a physical therapy assistant is required to perform, the average PTA salary seems to be very rewarding. As a PTA, you will be responsible for transporting patients to the area of therapy and preparing them for the treatment. They will also need to keep the treatment area well stocked and clean at all times. In some work settings, PTAs may also need to perform some clerical work such as answering the phone, ordering necessary supplies, filling out insurance forms, and other important paperwork. The extent to which an assistant performs such tasks always depends on the needs of certain facilities.

The number of work hours that a physical therapy assistant is required to complete may vary from one facility to another. Since the average PTA salary is quite high, 1/3 of all physical therapy assistants prefer working part-time. A few outpatient clinics and offices may also require them to attend to weekend and evening shifts because these periods are most convenient for a majority of clients. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, about 46,000 jobs are now available for PTAs. About 72% of these jobs are performed in hospitals and private offices of healthcare professionals.

How to become a PTA

If you want to receive competitive PTA salary rates, you have to be familiar with the education and training you will need to become a physical therapy assistant. Some states even require candidates to undergo PTA certification programs before they get the chance to work as a PTA. However, you will also need to obtain a high school diploma or any GED equivalent to qualify for such programs. You will be advised to take classes in science and health and use them to understand the curriculum of PTA training programs. After this, you can already proceed to earning an associate’s degree from a junior or community college of your choice.

When looking for a community college, it is important to choose one that is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Associations Commission on Physical Therapy Education. Considering the average PTA salary, you will only need to years to complete an associate’s degree. The curriculum includes classes in algebra, anatomy, physiology, psychology, chemistry, biology, and medical terms. Students will also receive supervised training in first aid, CPR, and patient care in a wide range of treatment centers. Once you have completed your training and education, you can already take the National Physical Therapy Exam.

There is no need to secure certification to advance your career as a physical therapy aide and to receive a high PTA salary. However, some employers or states will also require you to become certified as an expert in the field. States may vary in certification requirements so you have to check your state of jurisdiction for additional details. In addition to the education you will need to become a physical therapy assistant, you will also receive the bulk of your training under the close supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Of course, where you will work will be effecting your PTA salary.