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

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Missouri employs 2,490 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $63,770 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Missouri (May 2025)

Missouri median pay: $63,770 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,460
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,940
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,000
Employed in Missouri: 2,490
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

St. Louis metro: $65,820 (1,100 employed)
Kansas City metro: $65,580 (880 employed)
Columbia: $63,540 (110 employed)
Springfield: $61,420 (190 employed)
Jefferson City: $61,250 (50 employed)
Joplin: $58,240 (80 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri

Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,770 median stretches to roughly $70,231 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)

Missouri is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +20.2%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 440 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Missouri License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant license — regulated by the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for PTs.

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).
Pass the NPTE-PTA national exam plus Missouri's jurisprudence examination.
Apply through the Division of Professional Registration.

Official requirements: Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for PTs →

Training in Missouri

Missouri CAPTE programs (STLCC, Metropolitan CC, Ozarks Technical, State Fair CC) are affordable. Outpatient ortho and skilled nursing hire steadily; rural clinics often pay sign-on bonuses.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:

Bolivar Technical College — Associate
Bryan University — Associate
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — Associate
Concorde Career College-Kansas City — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Missouri

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

Cora Physical Therapy-Arnold — Arnold
Cora Physical Therapy-Ballwin — Ballwin
Empowerme Rehabilitation Blue Springs — Blue Springs
Healing Arts Center — Branson
Select Physical Therapy - Cape Girardeau — Cape Girardeau
Rehabilitation Professionals Inc — Clayton

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 Missouri?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Missouri is $63,770 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,460, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,000. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Physical Therapist Assistant license, overseen by the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for PTs. Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).

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

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

Which Missouri metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Missouri metro areas, St. Louis metro leads at $65,820, followed by Kansas City metro ($65,580), Columbia ($63,540). 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 Missouri?

Real Missouri options include Bolivar Technical College, Bryan University, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 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 Missouri?

Missouri projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +20.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 440 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts — Advisory Commission for PTs (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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.