How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Massachusetts
Massachusetts employs approximately 1,020 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,440 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 Massachusetts, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Massachusetts
How do I become a physical therapy aide in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT, PHYSICAL THERAPIST. The licensing authority is the Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure 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 Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Massachusetts is $37,440 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,070 and experienced professionals can earn $48,690 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: Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $37,440 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT | Must be a graduate of a 2-year program in physical therapy approved by the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association). Exam required. No continuing education required. Fees required. |
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST | Must be a graduate of a 4-year program in physical therapy approved by the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association). Exam required. No continuing education required. Fees required. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 840 | $37,440 | $40,110 | $35,480 | $49,950 |
| Providence-Warwick | 320 | $31,200 | $35,480 | $31,200 | $44,060 |
| Worcester | 90 | $38,710 | $39,770 | $35,010 | $49,830 |
| Springfield | 30 | $34,700 | $37,360 | $34,460 | $46,860 |
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 Massachusetts
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Massachusetts according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 840 | $37,440 |
| Worcester | 90 | $38,710 |
| Springfield | 30 | $34,700 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 1,020 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 Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Massachusetts is $37,440, which is $2,920 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/ah/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |