How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Georgia

Georgia employs approximately 1,200 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $30,550 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 Georgia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About How to Become a Physical Therapy Aide in Georgia

How to become a physical therapy aide in Georgia? Georgia requires credentials such as Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing authority is the Georgia State 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 Georgia? Yes. Georgia has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do physical therapy aides earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Georgia is $30,550 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,080 and experienced professionals can earn $38,680 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: Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy
  • Median wage (Georgia): $30,550 per year 1
  • Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Georgia

The Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Georgia 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
Physical TherapistPhysical therapist help people overcome or adjust to physical disabilities caused by injury, illness or birth defects.
Physical Therapist AssistantPhysical therapy assistants work with patients and administer physical therapy treatments under the direction of a physical therapist.

Additional Requirements

  • Exam: Third-party exam required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.

Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Georgia vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell720$33,570$32,160$22,580$39,000
Chattanooga110$28,610$29,500$20,740$37,330
Augusta-Richmond County60$29,910$33,170$21,240$65,840
Rome50$30,480$29,410$21,470$31,990
Savannah40$27,220$29,200$22,160$34,950

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 .

Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in Georgia

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell720$33,570
Augusta-Richmond County60$29,910
Rome50$30,480
Savannah40$27,220

Explore More Trades in Georgia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 1,200 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 Georgia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.

How much do physical therapy aides earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Georgia is $30,550, which is $3,970 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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy - Licensing Information: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)