How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Missouri
Missouri employs approximately 750 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $29,250 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 Missouri, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Missouri
How do I become a physical therapy aide in Missouri? Missouri requires credentials such as Physical Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapists. The licensing authority is the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 19 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Missouri? Yes. Missouri has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Missouri is $29,250 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,600 and experienced professionals can earn $39,140 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: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts
- Median wage (Missouri): $29,250 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Missouri 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy Assistant | An applicant for licensure shall be at least 19 years of age, furnish evidence of the board approved education requirements, be examined for physical fitness, and pass a board examination. |
| Physical Therapists | An applicant for licensure shall be at least 21 years of age, furnish evidence of qualifications by submitting evidence of completion of an approved program of physical therapy. |
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 Missouri
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 480 | $29,250 | $32,160 | $28,600 | $39,140 |
| Kansas City | 280 | $25,280 | $29,530 | $23,480 | $38,770 |
| Springfield | 70 | $34,720 | $35,320 | $28,600 | $39,870 |
| Columbia | 40 | $29,130 | $30,930 | $28,600 | $37,800 |
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 Missouri
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 480 | $29,250 |
| Kansas City | 280 | $25,280 |
| Springfield | 70 | $34,720 |
| Columbia | 40 | $29,130 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Missouri? Missouri 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Missouri is $29,250, which is $5,270 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/healingarts.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |