Physical Therapist Assistant in Delaware: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Delaware employs 340 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $74,610 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.
What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Delaware (May 2025)
- Delaware median pay
- $74,610 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $51,750
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $80,370
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $83,510
- Employed in Delaware
- 340
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $65,510 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Delaware markets:
- Dover
- $75,580 (70 employed)
- Philadelphia
- $71,540 (1,650 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware
Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $74,610 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Delaware (2024–2034)
Delaware is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +25.1%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 70 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Delaware License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Delaware DPR — Examining Board of Physical Therapists & Athletic Trainers.
- Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
- Apply to the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists (DPR).
Official requirements: Delaware DPR — Examining Board of Physical Therapists & Athletic Trainers →
Training in Delaware
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 Delaware include:
- Delaware Technical Community College-Terry — Associate
Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Delaware
Real Delaware outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:
- Easter Seal Soc of Del-Mar Inc — New Castle
- Blue Hen Physical Therapy, Inc — Newark
- Genesis Elder Care Rehabilitation Services — Seaford
- Tidewater Phy Ther & Rehab Assoc — Seaford
- Novacare Rehabilitation — Smyrna
- Novacare Rehabilitation — Wilmington
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 Delaware?
The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Delaware is $74,610 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,750, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Delaware?
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Delaware DPR — Examining Board of Physical Therapists & Athletic Trainers. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Delaware?
Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
Which Delaware metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?
Among Delaware metro areas, Dover leads at $75,580, followed by Philadelphia ($71,540). 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 Delaware?
Real Delaware options include Delaware Technical Community College-Terry. 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 Delaware?
Delaware projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +25.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70 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), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Delaware DPR — Examining Board of Physical Therapists & Athletic Trainers (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 Delaware wages · Delaware 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.