Where physical therapist assistants work
BLS says most physical therapist assistants and aides work in physical therapists’ offices or in hospitals. BLS publishes separate employer lists for assistants and for aides; both are below, labeled.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
Quoted from the Work Environment and Pay sections of the BLS Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides handbook page, checked November 10, 2026.
Physical therapist assistants (assistants only)
BLS states: “Physical therapist assistants held about 114,100 jobs in 2025. Some of the largest employers of physical therapist assistants were as follows:”
- Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists — 44%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private — 20%
- Home healthcare services — 12%
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) — 10%
- Offices of physicians — 6%
Physical therapist aides (aides only, a different job)
BLS states: “Physical therapist aides held about 49,000 jobs in 2025. Some of the largest employers of physical therapist aides were as follows:”
- Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists — 65%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private — 18%
- Offices of physicians — 9%
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) — 2%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals — 2%
Physical demands (assistants and aides combined)
BLS states: “Physical therapist assistants and aides are frequently on their feet and moving as they set up equipment and help and treat patients. Because they must often lift and move patients, they are vulnerable to back injuries. Assistants and aides can limit these risks by using proper techniques when they work with patients.”
Schedules (assistants and aides combined)
BLS states: “Most physical therapist assistants and aides work full time, although part time work is common. Some work nights and weekends because many physical therapy offices and clinics have extended hours to accommodate patients’ schedules.”
Median pay by work setting
BLS publishes separate industry medians for assistants and for aides. There is no combined assistant-and-aide industry list on that page.
Assistants only. “In May 2025, the median annual wages for physical therapist assistants in some of the top industries in which they worked were as follows:”
- Home healthcare services — $80,050
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) — $77,440
- Hospitals; state, local, and private — $67,620
- Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists — $63,080
- Offices of physicians — $62,970
Aides only (a different job). “In May 2025, the median annual wages for physical therapist aides in some of the top industries in which they worked were as follows:”
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals — $48,360
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) — $43,410
- Hospitals; state, local, and private — $38,450
- Offices of physicians — $35,320
- Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists — $34,100
National medians by industry from the Pay section of the BLS page. All-industry medians: assistants $68,380; aides $35,240; combined assistants and aides $61,200 (see PTA pay and outlook). State and area wage tables are not copied here.
This site’s career pages describe the licensed or certified PTA path. See how to become a PTA.
These are national BLS figures. Rules about where and how you may practice come from the jurisdiction board, not from BLS. Confirm current figures on the official BLS page.