"How long does it take to become a physical therapy aide in Montana?"

"Most paths into the physical therapy aide field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do physical therapy aides need a license in Montana?"

"Yes. Montana requires state-level licensing or registration for physical therapy aides, administered by the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for physical therapy aides in Montana?"

"In Montana, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Montana

Q: "How much do physical therapy aides earn in Montana?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), physical therapy aides in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,950. Employment concentration in Montana is roughly 0.68 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Montana?"

"Montana currently employs approximately 110 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Montana physical therapist aides earn a median annual wage of $38,950 ($18.73/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 110 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 10.5% above the national median of $35,240 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $38,950 ($18.73/hr)
25th percentile: $30,980 per year
75th percentile: $44,720 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $48,780 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $24,240 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 110
Versus national median: 10.5% above the U.S. median of $35,240
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.68 - this occupation is less concentrated in Montana than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Montana employs approximately 110 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,950 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 Montana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Montana

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

What do physical therapy aides earn in Montana? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Montana is $38,950 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $24,240 and experienced professionals can earn $48,780 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 Physical Therapy Examiners
Median wage (Montana): $38,950 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Montana

The Board of Physical Therapy Examiners oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Montana ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Physical Therapy - Physical Therapy Compact	Physical therapist compacts help patients to relieve their pain and increase their strength and mobility.
Physical Therapy - Physical Therapist	Physical therapists (PTs) treat patients to relieve their pain and increase their strength and mobility.
Physical Therapy - Physical Therapist Assistant	Physical therapist assistants help patients to relieve their pain and increase their strength and mobility.

Additional Requirements

Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Explore More Trades in Montana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 110 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 Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do physical therapy aides earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Montana is $38,950, which is $4,430 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 Physical Therapy Examiners - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/ptp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)