How Much Does a Physical Therapy Technician Make? (2025)
A physical therapy technician supports multiple physical therapists in the evaluation, testing, and treatment of patients in a variety of settings such as a physical therapy clinic or physical therapy offices. They prepare patients and apparatus for therapy and execute treatment regimens as directed, encompassing exercises, stretching techniques, manual therapy, and equipment utilization. They document the patient's response to therapy and submit patient progress updates to the physical therapist following each session.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment data, the role of physical therapy assistants and physical therapy aides, including technicians, is expected to grow 16% from 2024 to 2034. According to Salary.com, the average physical therapist assistant salary in the United States is $65,130 per year, or $31 per hour, offering a competitive annual wage for this job.
Continue reading this guide to provide additional information on physical therapy technician salary expectations, top-paying states, and the overall job outlook.
What is the Physical Therapy Technician's Salary?
As of October 1, 2025, the average physical therapy technician salary in the United States is $65,130 per year or $31 per hour. The annual salary range for physical therapy technicians is between $50,171 and $72,084, with most earnings between $57,300 and $68,770 per year.
2025 Average Salary for Physical Therapy Technicians: $65,130 per year ($31 per hour)
A physical therapy technician reported an average monthly salary of $5,428, while the average weekly pay is $1,253. The annual cost of employing a physical therapy technician, including healthcare, social security and time off, adds to the total compensation package.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $24 | $965 | $4,181 | $50,171 |
| 25th Percentile | $28 | $1,102 | $4,775 | $57,300 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $31 | $1,253 | $5,428 | $65,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $33 | $1,323 | $5,731 | $68,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $35 | $1,386 | $6,007 | $72,084 |
Aside from the base salary, physical therapy technicians receive additional benefits. The average total compensation in the United States is $95,618 per year, including benefits such as time off ($8,417), healthcare ($6,056), and social security ($5,232) which makes up about 20.6% of the total compensation.
Physical Therapy Technician Average Salaries State by State
Physical therapy technician salaries differ across U.S. states due to factors such as job demand, local costs, cost of living, and wage standards in each location.
The table below shows the states with the highest employment levels for physical therapy technicians and the states with the highest paying state averages. District of Columbia ($72,110), California ($71,840), and Washington ($70,620) rank among the top.
On the other hand, states with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($58,090), Arkansas ($58,840), and West Virginia ($58,650).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $70,500 |
| Alabama | $59,840 |
| Arkansas | $58,840 |
| Arizona | $63,460 |
| California | $71,840 |
| Colorado | $66,450 |
| Connecticut | $69,610 |
| District of Columbia | $72,110 |
| Delaware | $65,960 |
| Florida | $61,630 |
| Georgia | $62,820 |
| Hawaii | $68,080 |
| Iowa | $62,330 |
| Idaho | $60,800 |
| Illinois | $66,390 |
| Indiana | $62,520 |
| Kansas | $62,020 |
| Kentucky | $61,290 |
| Louisiana | $61,930 |
| Massachusetts | $70,880 |
| Maryland | $67,160 |
| Maine | $63,500 |
| Michigan | $64,140 |
| Minnesota | $66,650 |
| Missouri | $61,880 |
| Mississippi | $58,090 |
| Montana | $61,490 |
| North Carolina | $61,900 |
| North Dakota | $64,340 |
| Nebraska | $61,360 |
| New Hampshire | $65,840 |
| New Jersey | $70,600 |
| New Mexico | $60,330 |
| Nevada | $64,460 |
| New York | $69,240 |
| Ohio | $63,420 |
| Oklahoma | $60,220 |
| Oregon | $66,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,840 |
| Rhode Island | $67,530 |
| South Carolina | $61,030 |
| South Dakota | $59,190 |
| Tennessee | $60,870 |
| Texas | $63,530 |
| Utah | $62,370 |
| Virginia | $65,590 |
| Vermont | $63,930 |
| Washington | $70,620 |
| Wisconsin | $64,070 |
| West Virginia | $58,650 |
| Wyoming | $62,460 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Physical Therapy Technicians?
Physical therapy technician salaries vary by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas. Cities with high living costs often offer more technicians higher salaries to attract qualified candidates.
For example, cities in California such as San Jose and San Francisco offer higher average salaries for physical therapy technicians, at $82,150 and $81,340, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $82,150 |
| San Francisco, CA | $81,340 |
| Oakland, CA | $79,540 |
| New York, NY | $75,480 |
| Queens Village, NY | $74,990 |
| Paramus, NJ | $74,470 |
How Does Experience Affect Physical Therapy Technician Salaries?
Physical therapy technician salaries grow with years of service. Salary.com reports that entry-level technicians with less than 1 year of experience earn about $63,711 per year, while those with over 8 years of experience average $66,953 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Physical Therapy Technician (<1 year) | $63,711 |
| Intermediate Level Physical Therapy Technician (1-2 years) | $65,244 |
| Senior Level Physical Therapy Technician (2-4 years) | $66,694 |
| Specialist Level Physical Therapy Technician (5-8 years) | $66,849 |
| Expert Level Physical Therapy Technician (8+ years) | $66,953 |
How to Increase Salary as a Physical Therapy Technician?
According to Salary.com, most physical therapy technicians in the United States require an associate's degree and a state physical therapist assistant license. Their salary can rise with years of experience or learning specialized skills. Working in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, or home healthcare services can also impact earning potential and broaden the treatment areas they work in.
Physical Therapy Technician Advancements
- Build experience: Acquiring experience as a physical therapy technician leads to higher compensation, since improved abilities and more responsibilities are rewarded with income progression. This includes assisting patients in regaining movement and implementing treatment plans. Entry-level technicians earn roughly $63,711, while expert-level experts can earn as much as $66,953.
- Specialization: According to our data, expertise in areas like athletic training, therapeutic care and patient care quality standards can boost salary by 8.58%, 9.01%, and 7.98%, respectively. These specialized skills not only make physical therapy technicians more competitive in the job market but also position them for higher-paying roles.
- Education: By improving specific skills and credentials, obtaining higher education above the required associate degree, such as a bachelor's or master's, can raise a physical therapist technician's pay. Advanced schooling can also increase a candidate's competitiveness for higher-paying positions under physical therapist supervision, as certification and state licensing are essential requirements. Higher education can improve credentials and prepare technicians to work in diverse settings such as other facilities or alongside speech therapists.
Physical Therapy Technician Skills
Job responsibilities often include clerical duties and ensuring compliance with safety protocols like basic life support. A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for most entry-level positions, though further education can improve salary and career growth.
Physical therapy technicians with specialized skills can increase their pay. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that exercise physiology skills raise salaries by +9.57%, while therapeutic care skills add +9.01%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 10.40% | +9.57% |
| Therapeutic Care | 10.60% | +9.01% |
| Athletic Training | 10.30% | +8.58% |
| Safety, Injury Prevention and Emergency Procedures | 10.30% | +8.28% |
| Exercise Prescription and Programming | 10.50% | +8.13% |
| Physical Therapy Equipment Operation | 10.60% | +7.98% |
What are the FAQs About Physical Therapy Technician Salaries?
Here are some common questions about physical therapy technician salaries:
How much do Physical Therapy Technicians make?
As of October 1, 2025, physical therapy technicians in the United States earn an average of about $65,130 per year, or $31 per hour, with most earning between $57,300 and $68,770.
Are Physical Therapy Technicians still in demand?
Yes, there is still a demand for physical therapy technicians. Through 2034, the BLS anticipates 16% stable employment for physical therapy technicians. Many of these opportunities are expected to result from the need to replace workers who change careers or leave the workforce as a result of retirement or other circumstances.
What degree do you need to be a Physical Therapy Technician?
To become a Physical Therapy Technician, you typically need an associate degree (69.5%), along with state licensure, though some pursue a bachelor's (21.5%) or even a master's degree (3.1%) to expand skills and earning potential.
What does a Physical Therapy Technician do?
A successful physical therapy technician is detail oriented, able to perform job duties with accuracy, and demonstrates compassion when working with patients suffering from pain or various illnesses. Technicians should be skilled in using tools and equipment in their practice while maintaining a safe and effective work environment.
