Physical Therapist Assistant in Louisiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Louisiana employs 1,670 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $65,370 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)
- Louisiana median pay
- $65,370 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $24,360
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $76,800
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $81,520
- Employed in Louisiana
- 1,670
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $65,510 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Louisiana markets:
- New Orleans
- $73,980 (260 employed)
- Slidell
- $68,520 (110 employed)
- Shreveport
- $66,550 (180 employed)
- Baton Rouge
- $66,510 (290 employed)
- Lake Charles
- $64,550 (100 employed)
- Lafayette
- $60,760 (180 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana
Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,370 median stretches to roughly $74,116 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)
Louisiana is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +15.4%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 260 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Louisiana License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board.
- Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
- Apply to the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board.
Official requirements: Louisiana Physical Therapy Board →
Training in Louisiana
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 Louisiana include:
- Blue Cliff College-Alexandria — Associate
- Blue Cliff College-Metairie — Associate
- Bossier Parish Community College — Associate
- Delgado Community College — Associate
Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Louisiana
Real Louisiana outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:
- Rapides Physical Therapy — Alexandria
- Baton Rouge Physical Therapy — Baton Rouge
- Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation — Baton Rouge
- Hope Therapy Clinic — Baton Rouge
- Triton Healthcare, Inc — Denham Springs
- Affiliated Therapy Services Inc — Hammond
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 Louisiana?
The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Louisiana is $65,370 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $24,360, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Louisiana?
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Louisiana?
Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
Which Louisiana metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?
Among Louisiana metro areas, New Orleans leads at $73,980, followed by Slidell ($68,520), Shreveport ($66,550). 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 Louisiana?
Real Louisiana options include Blue Cliff College-Alexandria, Blue Cliff College-Metairie, Bossier Parish 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +15.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 260 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.