A physical therapy assistant salary calculator converts PTA pay between hourly, weekly, biweekly, monthly and annual amounts, then ranks it against official wage data. In May 2025 the median wage for physical therapist assistants was $32.88 an hour, or $68,380 a year. Physical therapist aides, a separate job, had a median of $35,240.
Annual gross pay
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How to Use the Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Calculator
- Choose your pay type: hourly rate or annual salary. The tool uses one BLS wage table, physical therapist assistants (31-2021).
- Enter your base pay, your hours per week and your weeks per year. Add other annual pay or a second offer if you have them.
- Read your annual gross pay, the pay-period amounts and where your hourly pay sits in the BLS wage table.
What each result tells you:
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Annual gross pay | Base pay for the year plus any other annual pay you entered, before tax. |
| Monthly, biweekly, weekly | Annual gross pay divided by 12, 26 and 52. |
| Hourly | Base pay per paid hour. This is the number compared with BLS. |
| BLS percentile band | The two published BLS percentiles your hourly pay falls between. |
| Approximate percentile | A straight-line estimate between those two percentiles. BLS does not publish it. |
| Gap to BLS median | Your hourly pay minus the BLS median hourly wage, in dollars and percent. |
| Full-time equivalent | Your hourly pay times 2,080 hours, the work year BLS uses for annual wages. |
| Second offer rows | The second offer as annual and hourly pay, its percentile and the yearly difference. |
The first preset is an example, not a typical wage. It shows an outpatient clinic PTA paid $30.25 an hour for 40 hours a week. That works out to $62,920.00 a year, about the 34th percentile.
What Is a Physical Therapy Assistant Salary?
A physical therapy assistant salary is the gross pay a PTA earns in a year, before tax and deductions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses the title physical therapist assistant and reports the pay under occupation code 31-2021.
BLS describes the work this way. Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of physical therapists. They help patients do exercises, treat patients with massage and stretching, record progress and report it to the physical therapist.
| Fact | BLS figure for assistants |
|---|---|
| Median pay, May 2025 | $68,380 a year, $32.88 an hour |
| Mean pay, May 2025 | $68,730 a year, $33.04 an hour |
| Wage and salary jobs in the wage survey | 112,430 |
| All jobs, 2025 (Occupational Outlook Handbook) | 114,100 |
| Typical entry education | Associate degree from an accredited program, about 2 years |
| Licence or certification | Required in every state |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | 23% growth for assistants |
BLS keeps a separate code, 31-2022, for physical therapist aides. Aides clean and set up treatment areas, move patients and do clerical tasks. They need a high school diploma and on-the-job training, and states do not license them. This calculator uses the assistant table only.
The tool is for PTAs checking an offer, a raise or a change in hours. It is not a pay quote from any employer.
How Does the Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Calculator Work?
The calculator converts your pay between time periods, then places your hourly pay in the BLS wage distribution for physical therapist assistants.
Annual pay = hourly rate x hours per week x weeks per yearApproximate percentile = P1 + (your hourly - W1) / (W2 - W1) x (P2 - P1)- Convert. An hourly rate is multiplied by hours and weeks. A salary is divided by them to get pay per hour.
- Add other pay. Overtime, differentials and bonuses you typed are added to the annual total only.
- Find the band. Your base hourly pay is checked against the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile wages.
- Interpolate. W1 and W2 are the two BLS wages around your pay. P1 and P2 are their percentiles.
- Measure the gap. Your hourly pay minus the median, then divided by the median.
The table below holds the BLS figures the tool uses. They are fixed for the May 2025 release and cover assistants, not aides.
| Physical Therapist Assistants (SOC 31-2021) | Hourly wage | Annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.96 | $47,750 |
| 25th percentile | $28.76 | $59,820 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $32.88 | $68,380 |
| 75th percentile | $37.83 | $78,680 |
| 90th percentile | $43.04 | $89,510 |
| Mean (average) | $33.04 | $68,730 |
| Employment | 112,430 jobs | |
Source: BLS OEWS, national estimates, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
BLS annual wages equal the hourly wage times 2,080 hours. That is 40 hours for 52 weeks. The comparison uses hourly pay so that part-time and long-shift schedules are judged fairly.
Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Example: 32 Hours and a Home Health Offer
A physical therapist assistant earns $31.50 an hour at an outpatient clinic. She works 32 hours a week for 52 weeks. A home health agency offers $36.00 an hour for the same hours.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Base annual pay | 31.50 x 32 x 52 | $52,416.00 |
| Monthly | 52,416.00 / 12 | $4,368.00 |
| Biweekly | 52,416.00 / 26 | $2,016.00 |
| BLS band | 31.50 is between 28.76 and 32.88 | 25th to 50th percentile |
| Approximate percentile | 25 + (31.50 - 28.76) / (32.88 - 28.76) x 25 | About the 42nd |
| Gap to median | 31.50 - 32.88 | -$1.38 an hour (-4.2%) |
| Full-time equivalent | 31.50 x 2,080 | $65,520.00 |
| Second offer | 36.00 x 32 x 52 | $59,904.00, +$7,488.00 a year |
Her base rate sits just below the national median of $32.88. Her 32-hour year pays $52,416.00, while the same rate over 2,080 hours pays $65,520.00. The home health offer adds $7,488.00 a year and lands at about the 66th percentile. Home health work often involves driving between patients, and mileage pay is not a wage in BLS data.
Factors That Change Physical Therapy Assistant Pay
Work Setting
Work setting changes the average PTA wage. Home health care services average $80,770, which is $12,040 above the national mean.
| Industry | Annual mean wage | Versus national mean |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health Care Services | $80,770 | +$12,040 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $77,650 | +$8,920 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $76,070 | +$7,340 |
| Other Residential Care Facilities | $75,420 | +$6,690 |
| Child Care Services | $73,460 | +$4,730 |
The industries with the highest annual mean wage for physical therapist assistants. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
State
California has the highest annual mean wage at $83,080. Alaska follows at $77,670.
| State | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|
| California | $83,080 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| New Jersey | $77,020 |
| Massachusetts | $76,350 |
| Texas | $75,060 |
The states with the highest annual mean wage for physical therapist assistants. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
Texas has the most PTA jobs, 10,510. Florida has 9,870 and California has 9,400.
Hours per Week
Part-time work is common for physical therapist assistants, according to the Handbook. A 32-hour week pays 20% less a year than a 40-hour week at the same rate. The tool compares hourly pay for that reason. The salary to hourly calculator gives a quick conversion without the BLS comparison.
Assistant or Aide
The job title decides which BLS table applies. The assistant median is $33,140 a year above the aide median.
Overtime and Weekend Pay
Some clinics open nights and weekends. Overtime and differentials raise annual pay, and BLS leaves them out. The overtime pay calculator works out overtime from your own hours.
Physical Therapist Assistant vs Physical Therapist Aide Pay
A physical therapist assistant at the median earns $33,140 a year more than a physical therapist aide at the median. The two jobs differ in duties, education and licensing.
| Occupation | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | Mean | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapist assistants (31-2021) | $47,750 | $59,820 | $68,380 | $78,680 | $89,510 | $68,730 | 112,430 |
| Physical therapist aides (31-2022) | $25,360 | $30,410 | $35,240 | $38,810 | $47,780 | $36,430 | 48,150 |
Annual wages. Source: BLS OEWS, national estimates, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
The ranges do not overlap in the middle. An aide at the 90th percentile earns $47,780. An assistant at the 10th percentile earns $47,750.
The outlook differs as well. BLS projects 23% growth for assistants and 4% for aides from 2025 to 2035. It projects about 24,900 openings a year for the two jobs together.
Assistant Pay by Employer
Home healthcare services pay assistants the highest median. The Handbook gives these figures for May 2025.
| Employer group | Share of assistant jobs | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Home healthcare services | 12% | $80,050 |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 10% | $77,440 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 20% | $67,620 |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 44% | $63,080 |
| Offices of physicians | 6% | $62,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides. Read on 2026-10-02.
Therapy offices employ 44% of assistants and pay a median of $63,080. Home healthcare pays $16,970 more at the median.
When to Use the Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Calculator
Checking a Job Offer
Enter the offered base rate and the weekly hours. The band shows whether the offer is in the lower or upper half of national PTA pay.
Comparing 32 and 40 Hours
Change the hours per week and watch the annual figure. At the median of $32.88, 32 hours pays $54,712.32 a year and 40 hours pays $68,390.40.
Pricing Part-Time Work
A PTA paid $34.00 an hour for 24 hours a week and 50 weeks earns $40,800.00 a year. The hourly rate still ranks at about the 56th percentile.
Budgeting After Tax
The result is gross pay. Read the gross vs net income guide before you plan a household budget from it. The general salary calculator converts pay for any job.
Common Mistakes with Physical Therapy Assistant Pay Comparisons
1. Using Aide Wages for an Assistant Job
The aide median is $16.94 an hour. The assistant median is $32.88. A licensed assistant compared with aide wages looks far above the 90th percentile.
2. Using Physical Therapist Wages
Physical therapists hold a doctoral degree and have their own BLS code. Their wages do not describe assistants.
3. Comparing a Part-Time Year with the BLS Annual Wage
BLS annual wages assume 2,080 hours. A 32-hour schedule totals 1,664 hours. Compare hourly rates, or read the full-time equivalent row.
4. Counting Mileage as Pay
Mileage reimbursement in home health covers a cost. It is not a wage. Leave it out of base pay and other annual pay.
5. Treating the National Median as a Local Rate
The mean PTA wage in California is $83,080. The national mean is $68,730. A national figure does not price a local market.
6. Reading the Percentile as Exact
BLS publishes five percentiles. The number between them is a straight-line estimate and can be off by several points.
Accuracy and Limitations
The conversion is exact arithmetic. The percentile is an estimate, because BLS publishes only five points of the wage distribution.
What it calculates accurately
- Annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly and hourly gross pay from your own figures.
- The BLS percentile band your hourly pay falls in.
- The dollar and percent gap to the BLS national median.
- The yearly difference between two offers on the same schedule.
What it does not account for
- Federal, state and local tax, or any payroll deduction.
- Your state, metro area, employer, experience or specialty.
- Benefits such as health insurance, retirement match and paid leave.
- Wages after May 2025. BLS updates the survey once a year.
- Per-visit pay models and mileage reimbursement in home health.
- Physical therapist aides (31-2022). The tool compares against assistants only.
BLS wages are straight-time gross pay. They exclude overtime pay, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. Keep those in the other annual pay field so the comparison stays like for like.
How We Calculate Physical Therapy Assistant Pay and Percentiles
Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries
How much do physical therapy assistants make an hour?
Physical therapist assistants had a median hourly wage of $32.88 in May 2025, according to BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22.96 an hour and the highest 10 percent earned more than $43.04.
How much does a PTA make a year?
The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $68,380 in May 2025. The middle half earned between $59,820 and $78,680.
What is the difference between a physical therapist assistant and an aide?
An assistant gives direct patient care under a physical therapist, holds an associate degree and needs a state licence or certification. An aide sets up treatment areas and does clerical tasks, and states do not license aides. BLS reports them under separate codes.
How much do physical therapy aides make?
Physical therapist aides had a median wage of $16.94 an hour, or $35,240 a year, in May 2025. That is $33,140 a year below the assistant median.
Which setting pays PTAs the most?
Home healthcare services paid the highest median, $80,050, in May 2025. Nursing care facilities paid $77,440 and therapy offices paid $63,080, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Which state pays physical therapist assistants the most?
California pays the most, with an annual mean wage of $83,080 in May 2025. Alaska follows at $77,670 and New Jersey at $77,020.
What education does a physical therapist assistant need?
All states require an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program, according to BLS. Programs last about 2 years. All states also require a licence or certification.
Is physical therapist assistant a growing job?
Yes. BLS projects 23% employment growth for physical therapist assistants from 2025 to 2035, against 3% for all occupations. Employment is projected to rise from 114,100 to 140,400 jobs.
Does this page say physical therapy assistant or physical therapist assistant?
Both terms describe the same job. BLS uses physical therapist assistant as the official title for code 31-2021. Many job ads and searches say physical therapy assistant or PTA.
Why does the calculator not show take-home pay?
Take-home pay depends on your filing status, state and deductions, and this tool does not estimate tax. It shows gross pay only, so every figure can be checked against your offer letter or pay stub.
Is my pay information saved?
No. The calculation runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. The Save button stores a result only on your own device.
Sources
- BLS OEWS Profiles, May 2025 national estimates (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Select 31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants or 31-2022 Physical Therapist Aides. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Duties, education, licensing, employers, pay by industry and 2025 to 2035 outlook. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS technical notes for the May 2025 OEWS estimates (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Defines the wage: straight-time gross pay, 2,080-hour year. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS May 2025 OEWS occupation index (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lists every occupation code in the May 2025 release. Read 2026-10-02.)
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Explore all career calculatorsThis physical therapy assistant salary calculator gives an estimate for planning. It uses BLS survey data, not a pay offer, and it is not financial, tax or career advice. BLS figures are national estimates for May 2025, read on 2026-10-02. All amounts are gross pay before tax. Confirm pay with the employer before you decide. Spotted an error? Let us know.
Author
Shakeel Muzaffar is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of MultiCalculators.com, bringing over 15 years of experience in digital publishing, product strategy, and online tool development. He leads the platform's editorial vision, ensuring every calculator meets strict standards for accuracy, usability, and real-world value. Shakeel personally oversees content quality, formula verification workflows, and the platform's commitment to publishing tools that are genuinely useful for students, professionals, and everyday users worldwide.
