Physical Therapist Aides

Overview

Physical Therapist Aides has a national median salary of $35,240 per year, with +4% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.

Work Values

• Relationships
• Support
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
• Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
• Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
• Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.

Work Activities

• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Working with Computers
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Detailed Work Activities

• Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished an associate's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Associate's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Physical Therapist Aides:

Video Resources