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

Allied healthcare

New Hampshire employs 500 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $71,440 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Hampshire licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in New Hampshire (May 2025)

New Hampshire median pay: $71,440 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $59,540
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,960
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,940
Employed in New Hampshire: 500
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Boston: $80,430 (1,860 employed)
Manchester: $71,440 (110 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Hampshire

Prices in New Hampshire run about 4% above the national average (cost-of-living index 104.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $71,440 median is worth closer to $68,560 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2024–2034)

New Hampshire is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +20.6%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Hampshire License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Physical Therapy.

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply to the NH Board of Physical Therapy (OPLC).

Official requirements: New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Physical Therapy →

Training in New Hampshire

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 New Hampshire include:

Colby-Sawyer College — Associate
Manchester Community College — Associate
River Valley Community College — Associate
White Mountains Community College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in New Hampshire

Real New Hampshire outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Hhh Rehab Agency — Concord
Cpte Manchester Inc — Manchester
Cpte Inc — Nashua
Genesis Rehabilitation Services — Nashua
Hillsborough County Nursing Home — Goffstown
Merrimack County Nursing Home — Boscawen

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 New Hampshire?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in New Hampshire is $71,440 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,540, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,940. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Physical Therapy. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in New Hampshire?

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

Which New Hampshire metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among New Hampshire metro areas, Boston leads at $80,430, followed by Manchester ($71,440). 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 New Hampshire?

Real New Hampshire options include Colby-Sawyer College, Manchester Community College, River Valley 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 New Hampshire?

New Hampshire projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +20.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 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), New Hampshire statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the New Hampshire OPLC — Board of Physical Therapy (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 New Hampshire wages · New Hampshire 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.