Back to the national Physical Therapist Assistant profile

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

Allied healthcare

Ohio employs 7,040 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $63,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Ohio licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Ohio (May 2025)

Ohio median pay: $63,820 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $51,280
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,600
Top earners (90th percentile): $84,130
Employed in Ohio: 7,040
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Columbus: $69,480 (1,100 employed)
Cincinnati: $65,170 (930 employed)
Dayton: $64,930 (510 employed)
Cleveland: $64,800 (1,280 employed)
Toledo: $63,450 (530 employed)
Akron: $63,050 (450 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Ohio

Prices in Ohio run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,820 median stretches to roughly $68,772 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Ohio (2024–2034)

Ohio is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +12.5%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,070 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Ohio License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant license — regulated by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board.

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).
Pass the NPTE-PTA national exam plus Ohio's jurisprudence assessment.
Apply through the OTPTAT Board.

Official requirements: Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board →

Training in Ohio

Ohio community colleges run numerous CAPTE programs at low tuition. Outpatient ortho and skilled nursing hire statewide; rural southeast Ohio clinics often offer incentives.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Ohio include:

ATA College-Cincinnati — Associate
Belmont College — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Parma — Associate
Central Ohio Technical College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Ohio

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

Midwest Rehabilitation, Inc — Ada
Apex Health and Rehab — Akron
Children's Developmental Center — Amherst
Ohio University Therapy Associates — Athens
Powerback Rehabilitation — Avon Lake
Barberton Physical Therapy/matrix — Barberton

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 Ohio?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Ohio is $63,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,280, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $84,130. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Physical Therapist Assistant license, overseen by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board. Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).

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

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

Which Ohio metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Ohio metro areas, Columbus leads at $69,480, followed by Cincinnati ($65,170), Dayton ($64,930). 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 Ohio?

Real Ohio options include ATA College-Cincinnati, Belmont College, Bryant & Stratton College-Parma. 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 Ohio?

Ohio projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,070 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), Ohio statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board (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 Ohio wages · Ohio 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.