According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to increase 46 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The 2011 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the national mean income for a physical therapist assistant is $51,110 and the national mean hourly rate is $24.57.

 

State	Mean hourly rate	Mean annual salary
Wyoming	$22.72	$47,270
Colorado	$21.26	$44,210
Nebraska	$23.80	$49,510

These state-reported salary rates are consistent with the results of LCCC’s needs assessment, which indicated the mean starting salary for a physical therapist assistant at $30,800, with increases to $35,275 after three years.