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Physical Therapist Assistant in Alabama: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Alabama employs 2,700 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $61,430 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alabama licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Alabama (May 2025)

Alabama median pay: $61,430 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $49,340
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,230
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,060
Employed in Alabama: 2,700
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Alabama markets:

Tuscaloosa: $64,040 (100 employed)
Columbus: $62,410 (100 employed)
Birmingham: $62,380 (800 employed)
Mobile: $61,430 (210 employed)
Montgomery: $60,910 (170 employed)
Huntsville: $60,870 (260 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Alabama

Prices in Alabama run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,430 median stretches to roughly $69,178 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Alabama (2024–2034)

Alabama is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +17.7%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 450 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Alabama License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy.

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply to the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy.

Official requirements: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy →

Training in Alabama

A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alabama include:

Bishop State Community College — Associate
Central Alabama Community College — Associate
Chattahoochee Valley Community College — Associate
Enterprise State Community College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Alabama

Real Alabama outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

The Summit Health & Rehab Services — Alexander City
The Summit Health & Rehab Services — Bay Minette
Restore Outpatient at the Bluffs — Birmingham
Impact Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Inc. — Calera
Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness — Clanton
Restore Outpatient of Chilton County — Clanton

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Alabama?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Alabama is $61,430 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,340, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,060. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Alabama?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Alabama?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Alabama metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Alabama metro areas, Tuscaloosa leads at $64,040, followed by Columbus ($62,410), Birmingham ($62,380). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Alabama?

Real Alabama options include Bishop State Community College, Central Alabama Community College, Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Alabama?

Alabama projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +17.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 450 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Alabama statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Alabama wages · Alabama licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.