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

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Pennsylvania employs 4,270 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $62,580 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $62,580 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $49,610
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,310
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,010
Employed in Pennsylvania: 4,270
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Philadelphia metro: $71,540 (1,650 employed)
Lehigh Valley: $65,510 (250 employed)
Harrisburg: $62,330 (190 employed)
Lancaster: $61,950 (220 employed)
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre: $60,520 (200 employed)
Pittsburgh: $56,020 (670 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,580 median stretches to roughly $64,119 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +18.0%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 830 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant certification — regulated by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy.

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).
Pass the NPTE-PTA national exam.
Apply through the State Board of Physical Therapy with child-abuse-recognition training.

Official requirements: PA State Board of Physical Therapy →

Training in Pennsylvania

PA community colleges (CCAC, HACC, Lehigh Carbon, Mount Aloysius) run affordable CAPTE programs. Outpatient ortho and skilled nursing dominate hiring; PA's older population sustains demand outside the metros too.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

Bucks County Community College — Associate
Butler County Community College — Associate
Central Penn College — Associate
Community College of Allegheny County — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Pennsylvania

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

Novacare Rehabilitation — Aliquippa
Novacare Rehabilitation - 50192 — Altoona
Select Physical Therapy — Annville
Valley View Haven Inc — Belleville
Paramount Rehabilitation Services, LLC — Bethel Park
Powerback Rehabilitation — Bethlehem

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 Pennsylvania?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Pennsylvania is $62,580 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,610, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,010. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Physical Therapist Assistant certification, overseen by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy. Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).

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

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

Which Pennsylvania metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $71,540, followed by Lehigh Valley ($65,510), Harrisburg ($62,330). 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 Pennsylvania?

Real Pennsylvania options include Bucks County Community College, Butler County Community College, Central Penn 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 Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +18.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 830 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the PA State 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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.