Within the physical therapy healthcare setting, many career options exist. Being a PT is a fantastic possibility if you are interested in health, wellness, or fitness. Each option below represents the level of education required for that particular position.
Level I: Physical Therapy Aid
Being an aid can be as rewarding as levels II & III. Aids are sometimes very essential in the workplace as they may be the ones who spend the most time with the patient (depending on the facility). You’ll typically be supervised by the PT working at that particular time. Expect to be on your feet often!
Although requirements vary per state and facility, you may get away with applying for an aid position with only a high school diploma. If you do not plan to attend college, enrolling in a technical school may give you a competitive edge over others. Aids can earn around $29,200 annually as of May 2021 (BLS, 2021).
Level II: Physical Therapy Assistant
Unlike aids, physical therapy assistants are more hands-on (however, they are still under the general supervision of the PT), require candidates to graduate from an accredited PTA program, and are paid more. Most PTA programs are two years and require passing the NPTA for physical therapy assistants to become licensed. The medium salary for assistants in May 2021 was $61,180. (BLS,2021).
Click here to see the accredited PTA programs in the United States.
Level III: Physical Therapist
Ranking as the highest level of education required is getting a doctorate in physical therapy! You can expect to be in school for three years but will get paid more. The average annual salary in May 2021 was $95,620 (BLS, 2021). Passing the infamous NPTE is necessary to work as a licensed PT.
As a doctor of physical therapy, you make the choices. By this stage of your career, you are trusted, have gained credibility, and (should) be well-versed in helping your patients improve their health.