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

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Maryland employs 1,430 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $77,670 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maryland licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Maryland (May 2025)

Maryland median pay: $77,670 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $39,260
Experienced (75th percentile): $84,080
Top earners (90th percentile): $91,570
Employed in Maryland: 1,430
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Baltimore: $79,250 (620 employed)
Washington DC metro: $78,790 (1,340 employed)
Salisbury: $75,370 (50 employed)
Hagerstown: $65,980 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Maryland

Prices in Maryland run about 5% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,670 median is worth closer to $73,971 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Maryland (2024–2034)

Maryland is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +23.6%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 260 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maryland License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Maryland Department of Health.

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program at CCBC, Wor-Wic Community College, or Carroll Community College.
Pass the NPTE-PTA through FSBPT.
Apply to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (MD DOH) for licensure. Renew every two years.

Official requirements: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Maryland Department of Health →

Training in Maryland

MedStar Health, Johns Hopkins Health System, LifeBridge Health (Baltimore), and the large outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic network in the DC Maryland suburbs are major PTA employers. Maryland PTA wages are significantly above the national median, driven by DC Metro area compensation levels. Georgetown and George Washington sports medicine networks extend into Maryland.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Maryland include:

Allegany College of Maryland — Associate
Anne Arundel Community College — Associate
Baltimore City Community College — Associate
Carroll Community College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Maryland

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

Baywoods Cooperative Housing Corporation — Annapolis
Novacare Rehabilitation — Annapolis
Db Therapy Group LLC — Baltimore
Novacare Rehabilitation — Baltimore
University of Maryland Rehabilitation — Baltimore
Medstar Health Physical Therapy — Beltsville

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 Maryland?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Maryland is $77,670 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,260, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $91,570. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Maryland Department of Health. Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program at CCBC, Wor-Wic Community College, or Carroll Community College.

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

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

Which Maryland metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Maryland metro areas, Baltimore leads at $79,250, followed by Washington DC metro ($78,790), Salisbury ($75,370). 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 Maryland?

Real Maryland options include Allegany College of Maryland, Anne Arundel Community College, Baltimore City 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 Maryland?

Maryland projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +23.6% 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), Maryland statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Maryland Department of Health (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 Maryland wages · Maryland 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.