Back to the national Physical Therapist Assistant profile

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

Allied healthcare

New Jersey employs 1,810 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $78,440 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

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

New Jersey median pay: $78,440 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,620
Experienced (75th percentile): $83,200
Top earners (90th percentile): $90,090
Employed in New Jersey: 1,810
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

New York–Newark: $75,620 (3,220 employed)
Trenton–Princeton: $75,410 (80 employed)
Atlantic City: $73,440 (50 employed)
Philadelphia: $71,540 (1,650 employed)
Allentown–Bethlehem: $65,510 (250 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,440 median is worth closer to $72,096 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +30.4%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 270 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license — regulated by the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs).

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (about 2 years including clinical rotations in PT settings).
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs (NPTE-PTA) through FSBPT.
Apply for the New Jersey PTA license through the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. PTAs in NJ practice under general supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. Renew biennially with continuing education.

Official requirements: New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) →

Training in New Jersey

New Jersey CAPTE-accredited PTA programs include those at Essex County College and Mercer County Community College. NJ's large and aging population — combined with its proximity to major medical centers in Philadelphia and New York City — creates sustained demand for PTAs in outpatient clinics, long-term care, and home health settings.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:

Atlantic Cape Community College — Associate
Bergen Community College — Associate
Berkeley College-Woodland Park — Associate
Camden County College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in New Jersey

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

Kessler Rehab Center-Brick — Brick
Kessler Rehabilitation Center - Brick — Brick
Center for Aquatic Rehab Cherry Hill — Cherry Hill
Novacare Rehabilitation — Cherry Hill
Palisades Rehabilitation Servi — Cresskill
Powerback Rehabilitation — Englishtown

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 Jersey?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in New Jersey is $78,440 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,620, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $90,090. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license, overseen by the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs). Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (about 2 years including clinical rotations in PT settings).

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

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

Which New Jersey metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among New Jersey metro areas, New York–Newark leads at $75,620, followed by Trenton–Princeton ($75,410), Atlantic City ($73,440). 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 Jersey?

Real New Jersey options include Atlantic Cape Community College, Bergen Community College, Berkeley College-Woodland Park. 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 Jersey?

New Jersey projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +30.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 270 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 Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) (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 Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.