Home / Compare / Physical Therapist Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants Salary comparison Physical Therapist Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants: Salary Comparison (2026) Physical Therapist Assistantss earn a median salary of $65,510/year, while Nursing Assistantss earn $39,530/year - a difference of $25,980. Physical Therapist Assistantss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Nursing Assistants
Median salary
$65,510
$39,530
Hourly rate
$31.5/hr
$19.01/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$46,020
$31,390
Senior level (90th %)
$87,630
$50,140
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
108,010
1,388,430
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare Support
Healthcare Support
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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