Occupations/31-2021.00
Physical Therapist Assistants
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
22%
More resilient
Human characteristics
75%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
45%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Mostly human
Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- Mostly human
Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
The tasks we can read here lean on people, judgment, or hands-on work. The AI risk number is still this job’s rank against other occupations.
Core tasks
- 01Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- 02Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- 03Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
- 04Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- 05Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- 06Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.21
- Degree of automation1.43
- Time sitting2.23
- Originality (ability)2.75
- Conflict situations3.25
- Hands-on objects/tools3.57
- Outdoors / weather1.08
- Disease exposure4.30
- Decision freedom3.91
Top abilities
- Oral Expression4.12
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Speech Recognition3.88
- Speech Clarity3.88
- Written Comprehension3.75
- Problem Sensitivity3.75
- Near Vision3.75
- Written Expression3.25
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.25
- Active Listening4.00
- Writing3.25
- Speaking3.75
- Mathematics2.25
- Science2.38
- Critical Thinking3.25
- Active Learning3.25
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.75
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 32 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emory University Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $60,800 | 11% | 91% | 1 yr $167,572 2 yr $162,817 Master's · CIP 51.08 |
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $5,700 | 100% | 35% | 1 yr $48,600 2 yr $54,778 Associate · CIP 51.08 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $38,004 2 yr $37,671 Associate · CIP 51.08 |
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $37,856 2 yr $38,721 Associate · CIP 51.08 |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $9,800 | 71% | 61% | 1 yr $34,847 2 yr $31,585 Certificate · CIP 51.08 |
Miami Dade College Miami, FL · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $2,900 | 100% | 41% | 1 yr $33,459 2 yr — Associate · CIP 51.08 |
University of Minnesota-Rochester Rochester, MN · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $14,200 | 72% | 73% | 1 yr $32,119 2 yr $29,685 Associate · CIP 51.08 |
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $5,200 | 100% | 21% | 1 yr $30,771 2 yr $29,685 Associate · CIP 51.08 |
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr — 2 yr $30,409 Certificate · CIP 51.08 |
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN · Private for-profit | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $18,600 | 100% | 64% | 1 yr $30,150 2 yr $32,162 Bachelor's · CIP 51.08 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $12,800 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $28,849 2 yr $30,988 Bachelor's · CIP 51.08 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Physical Therapy Assistant 51.0806 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Associate · CIP 51.08 |