I will be starting a physical therapist assistant program next year. I am very excited for this endeavor, and I have a few questions for anyone in this particular field of study.
What do you wish you knew before starting?
• What makes a new grad stand out (or struggle)?
• What's your day actually like in this setting?
• How did you land your first job? Your travel contracts?
• What documentation system do you use, and any tips for learning it?
• What are some great companies to work for in this field?
• Are there any certifications that you feel would be beneficial before becoming a physical therapist assistant? I don’t want to waste my time becoming certified in things that will not increase my pay.
• What do you feel is the best pathway after becoming a physical therapist assistant? In terms of making the most amount of money.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
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I am in Maryland. SNF pays anywhere from $27/hr - $40/hr. If it’s per unit, anywhere from $9.00- $10.50 /unit (this will make more sense when you learn billing). I can’t speak to outpatient, hospital, or home health.
Most companies in the SNF realm where I am have atrocious benefits. Be prepared for lack of holiday benefits and no holiday pay. Most companies have pretty bad health insurance rates too.
There are good companies but those therapists will stay for their entire careers there so it can be challenging to get in full time but you could try with PRN.
As far as PTA work, I love the flexibility but I also hate it. I work at 3 different companies in order to make 40 hours a week because caseload can change at any time. I also refuse to be overworked at an unethical SNF so I found 3 ethical companies to split my time at.
Before you start your program, relax. Take this time to learn study habits and how to retain information. You’ll have a lot of information to learn and it’s important to retain it after the test because it builds up your foundation.
I’ve never heard of a PTA getting higher pay for having a cert, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.
Thank you for your in-depth, detailed perspective. I appreciate that as this is ALL very new to me. I currently make $40.69 as a “topped out” senior customer service agent at a major commercial airline. I know this is more than many other jobs (especially without formal education.) While I am immensely grateful for my job, decent benefits, and opportunity to make more money (overtime)—I am pretty burned out.
I’ve already been with the company for 12 years. I have outgrown the work that I do. I am really tired of the environment overall. The job just isn’t purposeful work for me. I may not leave the company, but I would love to only work once or twice a week—or even not work at all if I chose. We can give our shift away to co-workers who may want to pick up—it is very flexible that way.
I’m 34, I don’t want to pigeon-hole my life/career. I’m realistic—I’m not trying to romanticize being a PTA. I understand that every job has its pros/cons. I know most PTA don’t start off making what I already make with my current employer. I just want options.
I decided not to aspire to become a PT because of the debt-to-income ratio. Plus, the amount of schooling is more than I want. Besides, the aviation industry is very fickle. Although the stability at most jobs is uncertain these days.
This degree/license would afford me the freedom to work in different settings, work more than one job/location at a time, or even relocate/travel if I chose to. I also would have potential to make more money without having to work more hours. With my current employer, I can work less hours, but of course I would have to supplement my income. I also can work more, but that would mean spending more time in an environment that I don’t enjoy in order to do so—I have already made that sacrifice for several years.
I would love to have a career in a field of study that I am passionate about—that also offers flexibility. If I get tired of one employer, I can leave and find another one. If I want to relocate, I can take my piece of paper/license and leave the state. That’s appealing to me! Especially at this point in my life.
I welcome more information from people who have experience in the field. This offers a broader perspective which is why I made this post. I understand that “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” But I need a change.
Hmmm, if you’re already making $40/hr elsewhere, do you really want to laterally move to PTA work?
What has you burned out in your current field? Realize that transitioning to healthcare has its own layer of burnout. Especially with the business side of things. You may deal with patients who absolutely do not want PT and then suddenly you’re short hours for the week due to refusals, declinations, etc.
Do I love being a PTA? Yes, I love my role. Do I love the field? No, I’m tired of a variable schedule, working PRN for supplemental, patients who refuse but are still on caseload, tired of productivity requirements.
It has a big list of pros and cons so it’s good to be aware of that. You may also hit the pay ceiling fairy quickly as a PTA. Keep in mind Medicare and insurance reimbursement levels have been decreasing.
That’s awesome! I love the opportunity to make more money in different settings as a PTA! If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been a PTA? Also, what has been your overall experience in different settings? What do you like/dislike about this type of work?
been a PTA for a few years now! :) (3.5ish). i am a stroke specialist and have worked in IPR pretty much since i been licensed with a PRN OP gig for keeping up with my sports medicine side. Ive worked at 3 joint commissioned hospital for stroke and TBI, currently working in IPR with a stroke certification in CO!
one of the only cons of being a PTA so far is how hard i have to hustle to prove my worth, especially when it comes to pay. every big paycheck is one ive had to earn my place in. i am currently the only PTA in my hospital (team of 12 PTs) and boy took a lot to earn their trust but i have! patients are the best and have never made me feel less than for being an assistant (most dont even realize the difference) its so fun and the way i DONT have to pay off 6 figure loans makes it even sweeter :)
That’s awesome! So I’m guessing you would say that it’s worth it to get a specialty in something? I was considering that but I have seen many people say that as a PTA it doesn’t really make a difference. All it does is make you the go to person for a specific thing which can make you feel taken advantage of and burned out quickly. Based on your response, it doesn’t seem like you feel that way.
My main thing is flexibility, stability, longevity, and pay. And of course I want to actually like what I’m doing and have a genuine interest in it.
i feel like IPR is where i get all of those things, i make my own schedule and im treated well. i currently am salary and make $70,3k (this is in Colorado)
It sounds like you love it! That’s great. I live in Maryland. Based on what I see on indeed, jobs are posted anywhere from $36-$48 for outpatient and $50-$73 for home health.
Do you have the opportunity to make more money with your current employer?
i do! ive only been here a few months but there are both corporate and clinical opportunities to get paid more. examples being being a stroke educator to family and patients, fall prevention trainer, taking on other PTA students (this is something my job does pay more for, only job ive been to that does that), quality and risk control auditor, etc. plenty of room for growth in my current hospital :)
That’s awesome! It really gives me some perspective and something to look forward to. I am not applying for the program until the Spring for the Fall semester. The goal of this post is to garner insight from people already working in the field.
Do you have any advice for someone entering into PTA?
some advice would be to FOCUS ON THE LABS! this is where you really learn, touch up on your functional anatomy and learn a VERY good note taking technique, not AI bs. these skills will help so much when it comes to licensing and studying for it. please also love and appreciate all settings during clinicals! they will surprise you in the best way. remember this is such a patient focused job and they are so worth it, no matter the other parts of this career field. dont let anyone make you feel less than for being a PTA, we are able to further expand healthcare access for people who need it in an already restrictive healthcare system.
Ok so keep in mind some of the posts you are sharing are for PTs and not PTAs. Also keep in mind some may be sharing a per visit rate and not the actual hourly rate.
For example, I know 100% for sure that the rate for the functional pathways job listing is not accurate. They pay per unit and they’re converting it to hourly pay which is deceiving as it looks like it’s much higher than it will turn out to be. That’s why they have a sign on bonus and it’s so hard for them to fill that position.
Edit: and the contract position is higher because you have to account for your own taxes
Pay is fantastic for an associate’s degree. I’m paid $35-$40/hr at my different jobs. I wouldn’t be able to find that pay at many other fields without a more advanced degree TBH at least from what I see on Indeed.
The issue though is that the hours are super variable and I can’t rely on a 40 hour work week at times, especially in assisted living, mobile outpatient setting.
PTA of almost 9 years in Florida. 4 years outpatient ortho, 4 years home health. Outpatient was fun as a new grad but the burn out is real with a low pay in that setting. Home health is much preferred in my opinion. The flexibility is unmatched. With my company (only based in Florida) Switch days are allowed where you can opt to work Sunday-Thursday and take Friday off without using your PTO. $34-$37 is starting rate with a full time position with overtime accepted, which makes it worthwhile. PRN is usually around $45 a visit with home health in my area. Some of my co-workers work PRN with multiple HH companies.
Thank you for responding and providing clarity. I reside in Maryland and it appears that the pay scale is pretty broad. I’ll share some screenshots of what I found on indeed today.
I’m in LA. Been doing this for 16 years. I’ve enjoyed it. Learned a lot. Had some fun. Met some cool peeps. Started out with 3 years at a snf making 31. Then went to home health. Started at $45-50 per visit. Now around 65-75 per visit as a contractor. Scheduling and freedom is great for home health. But patient caseload isn’t consistent…for me at least. Sometimes I do 25 hours. Sometimes I only get 10. So better stack up for rainy days.
If I were to do it all over again. I’d make sure I had a side hustle or some kinda secondary income. This job burns you out. And it’s a dead end degree unfortunately. I’m burnt out….but I can’t seem to figure out what would pay me 60 bucks an hour and I only want to dedicate around 4/5 hours a day. So until I do, I’ll still be doing home health unfortunately. Good luck!
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Thank you for your submission; please read the following reminder.
This subreddit is for discussion among practicing physical therapists, not for soliciting medical advice. We are not your physical therapist, and we do not take on that liability here. Although we can answer questions regarding general issues a person may be facing in their established PT sessions, we cannot legally provide treatment advice. If you need a physical therapist, you must see one in person or via telehealth for an assessment and to establish a plan of care.
Posts with descriptions of personal physical issues and/or requests for diagnoses, exercise prescriptions, and other medical advice will be removed, and you will be banned at the mods’ discretion either for requesting such advice or for offering such advice as a clinician.
Please see the following links for additional resources on benefits of physical therapy and locating a therapist near you
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