Back to the national Physical Therapist Assistant profile

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

Allied healthcare

Colorado employs 1,350 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $64,810 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Colorado (May 2025)

Colorado median pay: $64,810 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,580
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,280
Top earners (90th percentile): $89,550
Employed in Colorado: 1,350
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Colorado Springs: $65,620 (230 employed)
Denver: $65,320 (590 employed)
Grand Junction: $65,140 (30 employed)
Fort Collins: $60,970 (100 employed)
Greeley: $59,780 (50 employed)
Boulder: $59,250 (100 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Colorado

Prices in Colorado run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,810 median is worth closer to $62,861 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)

Colorado is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +37.9%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 360 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Colorado License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Colorado Physical Therapy Board (DORA).

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

Official requirements: Colorado Physical Therapy Board (DORA) →

Training in Colorado

A 2-year associate gets you into a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and licensure-exam pass rates before enrolling.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:

Aims Community College — Associate
Arapahoe Community College — Associate
Colorado Mesa University — Associate
Colorado Mountain College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Colorado

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

Valley Wide Health Systems — Alamosa
Ageility Physical Therapy Solutions at Dayton Plac — Aurora
Select Physical Therapy of Denver — Aurora
Caring Hands Rehabilitation — Canon City
Select Physical Therapy - 50831 — Centennial
Nursing and Therapy Services of Colorado Inc — Colorado Springs

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 Colorado?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Colorado is $64,810 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,580, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $89,550. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

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

Which Colorado metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Colorado metro areas, Colorado Springs leads at $65,620, followed by Denver ($65,320), Grand Junction ($65,140). 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 Colorado?

Real Colorado options include Aims Community College, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Mesa University. 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 Colorado?

Colorado projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +37.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 360 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), Colorado statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Colorado Physical Therapy Board (DORA) (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 Colorado wages · Colorado 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.