Physical Therapist Aides Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a physical therapist aides in U.S. is $34,520/year ($16.59/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $25K at the entry level to $47K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $35K get you in U.S.?
About physical therapist aides
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level physical therapist aides (10th percentile) start around $25K. Mid-career wages sit at $35K.Top earners bring in $47K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Therapist Aides pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $44K | +28% | 90 |
| Alaska | $42K | +23% | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +10% | 530 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +10% | 30 |
| Washington | $38K | +9% | 740 |
| Hawaii | $36K | +6% | 110 |
| Iowa | $36K | +6% | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $36K | +6% | 980 |
| North Dakota | $36K | +5% | 120 |
| California | $36K | +5% | 6,800 |
| New Jersey | $36K | +4% | 2,140 |
| Oregon | $36K | +4% | 920 |
| Ohio | $36K | +4% | 870 |
| Maine | $36K | +4% | 120 |
| New Mexico | $36K | +4% | 200 |
Track physical therapist aides salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapist aides make in U.S.?
The median is $34,520 a year - that works out to about $16.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $24,960, and experienced physical therapist aides can clear $46,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $35K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,481/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 56.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a physical therapist aides salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physical therapist aides salary is worth about $34,520 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical therapist aides get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.