Last Updated on 2025/02/06 by BrieferBob
Physical Therapy Aide Online Course Could Be Your Ticket To A Great Career!
Becoming a physical therapy aide may be closer to achieving than you might imagine. It can also be more lucrative than you may have previously thought. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2013 report, working under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist as an aide could have earned you a median pay upwards of over $24,000 a year.
The median hourly rate earning at that time was closing in on $13.00 an hour. Furthermore, for even part-time physical therapy aide work, that was a pretty good hourly wage! Accordingly, for supplemental income in a position that did not require at least a two-year college degree. Still, let’s do an update on this.
Physical Therapy Aide Employment History
In 2012, there were over 121,400 physical therapy aide or assistant jobs available. And the numbers were on the rise heading into 2015. Some estimates projected that physical therapy aide and assistant change in employment (or average growth rate) from 2012 through 2022 would be around 41%. Compare that number to the average growth rate for all occupations! That number was steady at about 11% nationally.
Today’s Forecast!
As recently as 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded the medium pay to be at an annual earnings of $58,740. The average salary stood at $28.24 per hour! Notwithstanding, that was without any previous experience within the field, or a related occupation! Indeed, the number of jobs as of 2023 stood at over 152,800! Furthermore, the job growth outlook for Physical Therapy Aide between 2023 – 2033 is projected to grow at 19%!
What’s the conclusion? Physical Therapy Aide job growth rate is increasing faster than the average occupational field you’ll find in the U.S. The same can be said about the growth for Physical Therapy Assistants as well. The employment change through 2033 is estimated to be around 28,800 new jobs.
Physical Therapy Aide Over The Long Term
Over the long-term, job security looks strong! Chronic ailments like obesity, arthritis, and diabetes are on the rise. Couple that fact with a growing aging population that is expected to put increasing strains on health care in general. Together, you have a vast opportunity for career growth and job security. In other words, supply and demand continues to be on the rise!
How To Get There
Most states require Physical Therapy Assistants to hold at least an associate degree from an accredited physical therapy assistant program. Granted, the pay is better by almost double. But the educational effort and up-front cost is also more taxing. And that’s before you get to work.
In contrast, Accordingly, to work as a physical therapy aide, you only need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and receive on-the-job training. From there, the foundation can be set to launch you deeper into the field. Maybe down the road you decide to pursue becoming an assistant or going on to becoming an Occupational Therapy Aide where earning power only goes up!
The Challenge
The challenge that faces anyone desiring to enter the world of physical therapy is the need for knowledge. Lots of it! One of the simplest steps to gaining this knowledge can be found by securing a place as a physical therapy aide in one capacity or another. Becoming a Physical Therapy Aide can be a great way to lay the foundation to a great future. Becoming a certified physical or occupational therapist could easily become a long-term goal.
Considering the affordability to get started, online courses can be a great way to go! Even so, more specifically, a certified Physical Therapy Assistant completed course on your resume can be a strong presentation to a potential employer- that you are certainly serious about pursuing the field. And if you’re of the mindset of looking for a profession where you could be your own boss, owning your own business, this is a great way to create your own job security. Establishing yourself as an independent physical therapy aide for hire could be just the ticket!