Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs Near You (2026)
Physical Therapy Aide training is offered by trade schools, community colleges and career institutes nationwide, and physical Therapist Aides earned a median of $35,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Use the program finder above to request information from schools that match your goals, or browse physical therapy aide programs by state and metro area below.
Key Facts
- National median wage: $35,240/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Pay range (10th-90th pct): $25,360 - $47,780 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Projected growth (2024-2034): +2.8%, ~6,600 openings/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034)
- U.S. employment: 48,150 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
How to Choose a Physical Therapy Aide Program
Start with accreditation: confirm the school holds recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation, because it affects credit transfer, eligibility for some certification exams and how employers view the credential. Then compare the credential awarded, total program length and schedule, and how much of the program is hands-on.
Physical therapy aide programs are usually short certificate courses that cover patient handling, basic exercise support and clinic operations; they are not the same as the associate degree required for physical therapist assistants.
The most useful programs include a practicum or externship in a working clinic, where you learn transfers, equipment setup and documentation. Graduates usually work in outpatient therapy clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
Before you enroll, ask each school what the schedule looks like week to week, how much time is spent in the lab, shop or clinic, which credential exams the curriculum covers, and how the school supports graduates in their job search. Outcomes vary by program and region, so ask for the school’s own completion figures and how they were measured.
Physical Therapy Aide Programs by State
Each state link goes to the most specific physical therapy aide page we publish for that state: a statewide physical therapy aide program guide where one exists, otherwise the state’s physical therapy aide career page or trade school directory.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top Metro Areas for Physical Therapy Aide Training
Large metros usually offer the widest choice of physical therapy aide programs and the most employers hiring graduates. These city guides list programs within driving distance and local wage data.
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in New York City, New York (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in New York, New York (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Los Angeles, California (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Chicago, Illinois (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Houston, Texas (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Phoenix, Arizona (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in San Antonio, Texas (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in San Diego, California (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Dallas, Texas (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in San Jose, California (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Jacksonville, Florida (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Fort Worth, Texas (2026)
- Best Physical Therapy Aide Programs in Columbus, Ohio (2026)
Related Careers and Guides
Disclaimer: Outcomes vary by location, experience, and local job market conditions. Employment or placement is not guaranteed. Program availability, admissions criteria, timelines, costs, and licensure requirements vary by school and state and may change without notice. Always verify details directly with the school and your state licensing board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does physical therapy aide training take?
It depends on the credential. Physical therapy aide programs are usually short certificate courses that cover patient handling, basic exercise support and clinic operations; they are not the same as the associate degree required for physical therapist assistants. Program length and schedule vary by school, so confirm the details with each program before you enroll.
How much do physical Therapist Aides earn?
According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), physical Therapist Aides in the U.S. earned a median annual wage of about $35,240. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $25,360 to $47,780 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Pay varies with location, experience, certification and employer.
Do I need a license or certification?
Requirements vary by state, role and employer. Some fields require a state license earned by completing approved training and passing an exam; others rely on voluntary industry certifications. Always confirm current rules with the licensing board or credentialing body in the state where you plan to work.
What is the job outlook for physical Therapist Aides?
The BLS projects employment of physical Therapist Aides to change about +2.8% nationally from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 6,600 openings expected each year on average (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Local demand can differ from the national figure.
Can I take physical therapy aide classes online?
Some coursework may be offered online, but most programs include hands-on lab, shop or clinical components that are completed in person. Ask each school how its program is delivered and what the in-person requirements are.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |