Assist a physical therapist and make money while you help others.
A physical therapist technician assists the physical therapist in treating patients during rehabilitative care. She works under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. There are two kinds of physical therapist technicians, and each has differing educational requirements and salaries.
Become a Physical Therapist Technician
There are two positions that can both fall under the title of physical therapy technicians: physical therapist assistants and physical therapist aides. Physical therapist assistants earn more than physical therapist aides. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the 2009 median wage for a physical therapy aide is $11.42 hourly or $23,760 annually. In contrast, the median wage for a physical therapy assistant is approximately twice as much: $22.18 hourly or $46,140 annually. If you're looking to be the physically therapy technician with the higher salary, choose to become an assistant.
Get educated. Most physical therapist aides train on the job, while physical therapist assistants earn an associate degree. Look for an associate degree from a two-year accredited physical therapist assistant program. If you do not have the education, you may choose to be a physical therapist aide in the process of becoming a physical therapist assistant. Both educators and employers view experience as essential in becoming a physical therapist assistant.
Get licensed. Licensure is not required for a physical therapist aide; however, some states require licensure for physical therapist assistants. Check your state for license criteria. This can include achieving specific education and examination goals. Additional requirements may include cardiopulminary resuscitation (CPR) or minimum number of clinical experience. Even if your state does not require any of the above, it may be a good idea to gain all licensing and certification in order to have more employment opportunities and a potentially higher pay.
Advance to higher positions. With experience and education, physical therapist aides can advance to therapist assistant. Some physical therapist assistants advance by specializing in a certain clinical area. Specialization can also help increase pay.
Look at Industries and States that Pay Well
If you've chosen to become a physical therapist assistant, look for industries and states that pay well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying industry for a physical therapist assistant is in home health care services where the annual mean salary is $56,460. Other high paying industries are employment services; nursing care facilities; individual and family services; and vocational rehabilitation services. The state that pays the most for a physical therapist assistant is California, where the annual mean wage is $55,730. Other states that pay well are as follows: Nevada, Texas, Florida and Tennessee.
If you've chosen to become a physical therapist aide, look for industries and states that pay well. The highest paying industry for a physical therapist aide is in home health care services where the annual mean salary is $30,620. Other high paying industries are as follows: medical and diagnostic laboratories; state governments; vocational rehabilitation services; and psychiatric substance abuse hospitals. The highest paying state for a physical therapist aide is Vermont, with an annual wage is $31,460. Other high paying states are Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Tags: physical therapist, physical therapist, therapist assistant, physical therapist assistant, physical therapist aide
