Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary, Job Outlook, and Career Opportunities

The career outlook for physical therapist assistants is exceptionally strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of PTAs is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by an aging baby boomer population, increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, and the expanding role of PTAs in outpatient rehabilitation and home health settings.

The earning potential reflects this demand. The median physical therapist assistant salary in the United States is approximately $64,080 per year according to BLS data. When students research PTA salary information, they find that this career offers strong compensation for a program that can be completed at an accelerated pace. Experienced PTAs in high-cost markets like Los Angeles and Southern California frequently earn above the national average. The physical therapy assistant salary combined with the projected 19% growth rate makes this one of the strongest returns on investment among allied health programs. Completing your physical therapy assistant programs at CBD College positions you to enter this growing field with CAPTE-accredited credentials that employers actively seek.

What You Will Do as a Physical Therapist Assistant

PTAs are essential members of the physical therapy care team. As a licensed physical therapist assistant, you will provide direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, including:

• Implementing treatment plans designed by the supervising physical therapist to improve patient mobility, strength, and function
• Performing therapeutic exercises, stretching, and functional training with patients recovering from injury, illness, or surgery
• Administering modalities including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, and manual therapy techniques
• Monitoring and documenting patient responses to treatment, progress toward goals, and changes in condition
• Educating patients and families on home exercise programs, injury prevention, and strategies to regain independence
• Collaborating with physical therapists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate comprehensive patient care
• Modifying treatment approaches as needed to meet individual patient needs and goals

Where You Can Work as a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

Graduates of our PTA programs find rewarding PTA jobs across a wide range of healthcare settings:

• Outpatient physical therapy clinics
• Private and public hospitals
• Inpatient rehabilitation centers and facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers
• Home health care agencies
• School systems and pediatric therapy centers
• Sports medicine and orthopedic clinics
• Physician offices and specialty practices

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm

Disclosure

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at CBD College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Nancy Rupp, PT, DPT at (213) 786-1039 or email nrupp@cbd.edu.

CAPTE Reported PTA Outcomes

2024-2025 PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF A PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Success in both academics and a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant involves mastering a combination of physical and mental tasks. These include honing skills in listening, monitoring, speaking, and teaching, along with strong reading, comprehension, and reasoning abilities.

PTA Students who are unable to develop these essential functions may struggle to progress through the program, face challenges in attending clinicals, and could ultimately be unable to graduate or apply for licensure. Physical therapist assistant programs are designed to help students acquire these critical skills for a successful career.

Applicants with questions about their ability to perform the essential functions of a PTA should meet with an advisor prior to applying to the physical therapist assistant program. Additional information about job expectations is available in the Occupational Profile for Physical Therapist Assistants at Career One Stop (www.careeronestop.org).

BACKGROUND CHECK

Any felony or certain misdemeanor convictions may prevent the student from being accepted by clinical sites, obtaining certification/licensure upon graduation, and/or obtaining gainful employment.

During the pre-admission process, students are made aware that placement at a facility affiliated with CBD College for their clinical education might be conditional on a clear background check. CBD College requires a clear background check for the admission process, but students are made aware that they may be required to undergo additional background checks, at the time of their clinical education and in the application process for licensure. 

Students of the CBD College Physical Therapist Assistant Program are advised that hospitals and outpatient clinics typically require that students submit to background checks and receive appropriate clearance before they will be permitted to participate in clinical rotations at those institutions. Students who do not receive appropriate clearance may be unable to fulfill their academic requirements at CBD College, and therefore may not be able to complete their educational program. If you know of anything in your background check that may prevent you from taking the licensure exam, we advise you to check with an admissions representative prior to enrolling in the PTA program.

The admissions background check fee is included in the tuition.

DRUG SCREENING

CBD College does not require a drug screening at this time; however, every student must be aware that almost every clinical/externship site requires a drug screening test before starting a clinical experience at their clinic/facility. The drug screening is to be completed during the module directly preceding the clinical/externship portion of the program by the student at any clinic of their choice. The cost is the responsibility of the individual student. The results are to be returned to the Clinical Coordinator in preparation for clinical experience. The decision to move forward in case of Positive drug screening is up to each individual clinic. Students may retake a drug screening test if there is enough time before the start of clinical experience. Positive drug screening may prevent a student from going to a clinical site, which will result in removal from the program.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FORM

Students enrolled in our Physical Therapist Assistant degree program, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs at CBD College are required to complete and submit the Physical Examination Form, signed by a physician, before starting their clinical experience at a clinic or facility. The physician will examine the student and determine whether he/she holds the capability to perform the expected tasks related to the program of study. This form will need to be completed by the midterm of the module directly preceding the clinical rotation/externship. An incomplete form will prevent the student from progressing to the Clinical Education portion of the program and may eliminate them from the program.

These records will be kept in a student’s file in the locked cabinets of the clinical or program coordinator.

This form also serves as evidence that the student has documentation of the required immunizations for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Tdap. Students non-immunized may not be accepted by the healthcare facilities for their rotations and therefore will be at risk of not completing all the requirements for graduation.

The physical examination form must also attest that the student has been negatively tested for TB, or has a clear CXR, in case of a positive TB Exam.

Each applicant is responsible for the cost of his/her physical examination.

FLU SHOTS

Students may be required by the clinical sites to which they have been assigned, to get a flu shot. If a student refuses, other options are solely up to the specific clinic.
Failure to comply with any and all clinical externship Flu prevention policy may place a student at risk of not completing all necessary graduation requirements.