Frequently asked questions
What do physical therapist assistants do?
Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services while being directed and supervised by a licensed physical therapist. PTAs may assist patients of all ages who need physical rehab or have medical issues or health-related conditions that limit their ability to perform daily activities.
PTAs provide care focusing on patients’ mobility, strength, and coordination and may help patients with exercises geared toward strengthening these abilities. PTAs may train patients for activities such as walking with a mobility device including crutches, canes, or walkers. They may also fit or adjust supportive devices, such a leg braces or crutches. In addition, PTAs are also trained to conduct therapeutic exercises and provide therapeutic massage using ultrasound or electrical stimulation for treatment.
Working with physical therapists, PTAs can help measure changes in patients’ performance and assist with clerical duties, including documenting progress, completing forms, and ordering supplies.
PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, sports facilities, schools, and more.
Read more about what physical therapist assistants do.
What is the difference between a PTA and Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)?
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of a physical therapist (PT) to help people return to daily activity which may encompass movement related recreational pursuits, work, or sports. PTAs also offer patients injury prevention strategies related to fitness and movement. They help implement plans established by a PT to promote movement, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work under the direction of an occupational therapist (OT) to help people of all ages who have a disability, condition or injury which interferes with their ability to carry out daily self-care, school or work tasks. OT/OTAs work on cognition as well as the physical aspect of care.
| Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) | $58,440 | $28.58 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) | $63,420 | $30.49 |
All salary data courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). |
* Salaries can vary based on location, education, and experience. This average is not entry level – recent graduates will need to earn experience and work their way up to earn a higher salary.
Both OTAs and PTAs may be able to increase their earning potential by earning a bachelor's degree in health science. Completing a bachelor's degree can help OTAs and PTAs qualify for more jobs within their field and advance their career.
Learn more about the primary difference between OTA and PTA.
How can I become a PTA?
To become a PTA, you’ll need to earn an associate's degree from a physical therapy assistant program. Generally, these programs take approximately 20 months to complete and focus on medical terminology, kinesiology, patient care, and anatomy/physiology. As a complement to online coursework, you’ll also participate in hands-on clinicals and lab work, which will help build your practical experience in physical therapy assisting.
Once you have graduated, it’s important to become certified. You can sit for the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapy Assistants, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Passing the exam and earning your PTA certification is a requirement for working as a PTA.
Last updated: February 6th, 2021 The demand for and salary levels of Physical Therapy Assistants has been steadily on the increase over the last decade. Employment of Physical Therapy Assistants is projected to grow by a massive 30% over the coming years with a projected additional 25,000 jobs being created between 2016 and 2024. Browse Content If you live in Texas the news is even better! There is a wide range of accredited schools to select from throughout the
State. Additionally Texas is one of the top paying states for PTA's in the US, there could be no better place to train and work. Jump to: PTA Schools in Texas The average PTA salary in Texas is approximately $73,000. This represents an hourly wage of over $35.00. In fact Texas is the highest paying State for Physical Therapist Assistants in the USA. PTA's in Texas earn approximately 32% more on average than those in other States. In 2015 there where 6,270 persons employed as a Physical Therapy Assistant in Texas.Physical Therapy Assistant Salary in
Texas
Average Salary
$72,820
Average Hourly Wage
$35.00
Compared to the National Average
32% Above
90th Percentile of Earners
-
10th Percentile of Earners
-
Number Employed as a PTA
6,270
PTA Salary by Metro Area
The table below offers key employment and salary data for PTA's in the main metro and city areas in the State;
| Amarillo, TX | 70 | $58,300.00 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 370 | $63,430.00 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 50 | $66,560.00 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 40 | $90,300.00 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 50 | $71,390.00 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 140 | $75,910.00 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,850 | $78,200.00 |
| Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division | 1,460 | $80,300.00 |
| El Paso, TX | 320 | $77,230.00 |
| Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Division | 390 | $70,380.00 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 910 | $64,740.00 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 80 | $64,470.00 |
| Laredo, TX | 80 | $69,300.00 |
| Longview, TX | 70 | $71,630.00 |
| Lubbock, TX | 80 | $66,510.00 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 200 | $69,240.00 |
| Midland, TX | not known | $53,400.00 |
| Odessa, TX | 30 | $60,700.00 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 770 | $72,400.00 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 30 | $65,600.00 |
| Tyler, TX | 170 | $77,970.00 |
| Victoria, TX | 60 | $67,640.00 |
| Waco, TX | 60 | $71,760.00 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 90 | $70,020.00 |
| West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 100 | $57,630.00 |
| North Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 190 | $67,420.00 |
| Big Thicket Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | not known | $111,190.00 |
| Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 80 | $66,650.00 |
| Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | not known | $108,500.00 |
| Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 130 | $87,260.00 |
Physical Therapy Assistants fair very well by comparison to similar careers such as Occupational Therapy Assistants, Massage Therapists and Home Health Aides in terms of average salary, from entry level to well experienced – achieving one of the highest average salary levels. Additionally in terms of employment figures and growth it has been flagged as one of the top 5 fastest growing careers in healthcare by the Bureau For Labor Statistics (BLS).
The table below illustrates key data for similar healthcare careers in Texas;
| Physical Therapist Assistants TX | 6,270 | $72,820 |
| Home Health Aides | 62,930 | $19,950 |
| Nursing Assistants TX | 82,660 | $24,550 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants TX | 3,840 | $71,100 |
| Massage Therapists TX | 5,270 | $38,770 |
| Medical Assistants TX | 57,180 | $29,180 |
Get Started Today!
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