How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Alabama
Alabama employs approximately 750 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $27,290 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in Alabama, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Alabama
How do I become a physical therapy aide in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Licensed Physical Therapist, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing authority is the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Alabama is $27,290 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $21,160 and experienced professionals can earn $33,770 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy
- Median wage (Alabama): $27,290 per year 1
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Alabama
The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Alabama 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Licensed Physical Therapist | This applicant must: be of good moral character; Be a U.S. citizen or provide verification that applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. as proven by the U.S. |
| Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant | Applicant must: be of good moral character; Be a U.S. citizen or provide verification that applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. as proven by the U.S. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 230 | $26,530 | $28,190 | $21,170 | $34,340 |
| Huntsville | 100 | $26,440 | $27,150 | $21,350 | $34,850 |
| Tuscaloosa | 70 | $31,900 | $29,590 | $19,280 | $31,900 |
| Montgomery | 50 | $26,800 | $26,070 | $19,800 | $29,690 |
| Dothan | 40 | $25,360 | $26,830 | $22,880 | $32,150 |
| Mobile | 40 | $25,690 | $25,610 | $21,740 | $33,580 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in Alabama
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 230 | $26,530 |
| Huntsville | 100 | $26,440 |
| Tuscaloosa | 70 | $31,900 |
| Montgomery | 50 | $26,800 |
| Dothan | 40 | $25,360 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 750 physical therapy aides 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a physical therapy aide in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Alabama is $27,290, which is $7,230 below the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama Board of Physical Therapy - Licensing Information: https://www.pt.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |