Ava Make Up Essentials

How much does a Physical Therapy Aide make on average?

I am thinking of taking an online course to become a PTA and I am wondering if it's worth the time and expense. And is an Aide the same as an Assistant?

Public Comments

1. Physical therapist assistants perform a variety of tasks. Components of treatment procedures performed by these workers, under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, involve exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound. Physical therapist assistants record the patient’s responses to treatment and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist. Median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants were $37,890 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,060 and $44,050. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,110. Physical therapist aides help make therapy sessions productive, under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. They usually are responsible for keeping the treatment area clean and organized and for preparing for each patient’s therapy. When patients need assistance moving to or from a treatment area, aides push them in a wheelchair or provide them with a shoulder to lean on. Because they are not licensed, aides do not perform the clinical tasks of a physical therapist assistant. Median annual earnings of physical therapist aides were $21,380 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,990 and $26,310. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33,550. Median annual earnings of physical therapist aides in May 2004 were $21,120 in general medical and surgical hospitals and $20,360 in offices of physical therapists.
2. I am sorry, an aide is not the same as a physical therapy assistant (PTA). An aide, or tech, is primarily an on the job trained personell who may perform a variety of tasks under the direct supervision and instruction of a PT or PTA (depending on what state you live). Their primary function is often to give the PTs and PTAs direct hands on help with a patient such as helping lift someone, following someone with a wheel chair as they ambulate, etc. In some states, an aide MIGHT be able to "run" a patient through their exercises as long as the therapist is right there...but in most states this is not likely. Aides also perform a variety of clerical functions such as answering phones, filing, scheduling, cleaning the gym, etc. Most aides make little more than minimum wage...typically about $9-10 an hour. In my opinion, it's a good experience to be an aide (espeically if you hope to become a PTA or PT), but you do not need formal education to do it. None of our techs at our facility have had any previous experience. Furthermore, the cost of the education is not really worth it...most aide training programs are about 6-12 months...the PTA degree is only two years...stick it out for another year and you will almost double your income and become a licensed professional. The PTA degree is offered at many community colleges which may acutally be the same cost of the tech program at a private tech college.