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

Allied healthcare

Kansas employs 1,300 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $64,500 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Kansas (May 2025)

Kansas median pay: $64,500 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $52,520
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,900
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,550
Employed in Kansas: 1,300
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Kansas City: $65,580 (880 employed)
Topeka: $64,250 (170 employed)
Wichita: $62,900 (230 employed)
St. Joseph: $61,510 (50 employed)
Manhattan: $60,210 (50 employed)
Joplin: $58,240 (80 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas

Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,500 median stretches to roughly $71,587 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)

Kansas is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +17.4%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 210 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kansas License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply for licensure through the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

Official requirements: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts →

Training in Kansas

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 Kansas include:

Allen County Community College — Associate
Barton County Community College — Associate
Cleveland University-Kansas City — Associate
Coffeyville Community College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Kansas

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

Tina Harris Physical Therapy — Colby
Select Physical Therapy — Derby
Advanced Therapy & Sports Medicine — Great Bend
Select Physical Therapy - Lenexa — Lenexa
Continu Care — Mc Pherson
Genesis Rehabilitation Services — Olathe

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 Kansas?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Kansas is $64,500 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $52,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,550. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

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

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

Which Kansas metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Kansas metro areas, Kansas City leads at $65,580, followed by Topeka ($64,250), Wichita ($62,900). 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 Kansas?

Real Kansas options include Allen County Community College, Barton County Community College, Cleveland University-Kansas City. 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 Kansas?

Kansas projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +17.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 210 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), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.