Physical Therapist Assistant in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Montana employs 250 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $62,650 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $62,650 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $52,310
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $69,020
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $77,990
- Employed in Montana
- 250
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $65,510 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Montana markets:
- Billings
- $62,870 (60 employed)
- Great Falls
- $61,900 (30 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,650 median stretches to roughly $66,226 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)
Montana is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +21.5%, about in line with the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Montana DLI — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
- Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
- Apply to the Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (DLI).
Official requirements: Montana DLI — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners →
Training in Montana
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 Montana include:
- Aaniiih Nakoda College — Associate
- Flathead Valley Community College — Associate
- Great Falls College Montana State University — Associate
- Montana Technological University — Associate
Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Montana
Real Montana outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:
- Mountain Land Rehabilitation Inc — Billings
- Village Health & Rehabilitation — Missoula
- Park Place Transitional Care and Rehabilitation — Great Falls
- St John's Lutheran Home — Billings
- Copper Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center — Butte
- Yellowstone River Nursing and Rehabilitation — Billings
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 Montana?
The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Montana is $62,650 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $52,310, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,990. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Montana?
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Montana DLI — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Montana?
Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
Which Montana metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?
Among Montana metro areas, Billings leads at $62,870, followed by Great Falls ($61,900). 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 Montana?
Real Montana options include Aaniiih Nakoda College, Flathead Valley Community College, Great Falls College Montana State University. 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 Montana?
Montana projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +21.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 60 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), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Montana DLI — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (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 Montana wages · Montana 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.