Physical Therapist Assistants
Healthcare Support
Carries out treatment plans set by a physical therapist: guiding patients through exercises, teaching body mechanics and water exercise, and giving hands-on care such as therapeutic massage or heat, light, sound, or electrical treatments. During each session they watch how the patient responds, write progress notes, and talk with the therapist about what to adjust. The work also means securing people on equipment and lifting or transferring them to and from treatment areas. Formal training is typical. Fits those who like walking patients through exercises, keeping detailed notes, and the physical work of lifting and transferring people.
Typical education: Associate’s Degree (2-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$68'380
Median Wage Market Position
$68'380
What you might do
- Coach patients as they practice prescribed exercises
- Give massage, heat, or ultrasound treatments
- Teach patients safer ways to move around
- Write progress notes for the physical therapist
- Secure patients onto or into therapy equipment
- Lift and transfer patients to treatment areas
Skills that matter
- Coaching patients through prescribed exercises
- Teaching body mechanics and functional mobility
- Giving massage, heat, or ultrasound
- Writing progress notes after each session
- Judging how a patient is responding
- Discussing treatment changes with therapists
AI & the future of this role
Delivering exercises, spotting form, and adjusting plans under a physical therapist rely on touch, coaching, and clinical judgment. Charting may get lighter with automation, but hands-on rehab and strong therapy demand help keep prospects solid.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details