Physical Therapist Assistants
SOC Code: 31-2021 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Physical Therapist Assistants. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $75,504 | $87,984 | $100,443 | $112,923 |
| Redding, CA | $59,134 | $76,398 | $93,642 | $110,906 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75,795 | $86,965 | $98,134 | $109,304 |
| Modesto, CA | $73,653 | $85,238 | $96,803 | $108,389 |
| Merced, CA | $63,814 | $77,688 | $91,562 | $105,435 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $72,197 | $81,328 | $90,480 | $99,611 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $67,163 | $77,542 | $87,922 | $98,301 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $62,421 | $74,256 | $86,070 | $97,906 |
| Napa, CA | $66,581 | $77,002 | $87,402 | $97,822 |
| Salinas, CA | $67,558 | $77,334 | $87,110 | $96,886 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 | |
| Writing | 3.2 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.2 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.2 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.5 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 4.2 |
| English Language | 4.2 |
| Education and Training | 3.9 |
| Psychology | 3.6 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 3.5 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
| Biology | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 84.2% |
| Bachelor's degree | 14.9% |
Typical Tasks
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
- Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word eClinicalWorks EHR software Accounting software Arena Health Systems Phys-X Beaver Creek Software The THERAPIST Billing software BioEx Systems Exercise Pro Bookkeeping software Client caseload management software
Calculate your wage level for Physical Therapist Assistants →
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