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2-step progression from Physical Therapist Assistant to Physical Therapist. Potential salary increase of 54% from entry to advanced level.
Entry Salary
$65,510
Physical Therapist Assistant
Top Salary
$101,020
Physical Therapist
Total Steps
2
licenses
Median Salary
$65,510
Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA
Avg. Licensing Cost
$674
Avg. Timeline
2.2 years – 2.4 years
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Median Salary
$101,020
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) + NPTE
Avg. Licensing Cost
$811 – $813
Avg. Timeline
3.1 years – 3.5 years
The physical therapy career ladder is a professional progression from Physical Therapist Assistant to Physical Therapist. It includes 2 licensing levels, each with increasing education, responsibility, and earning potential.
Advancing from Physical Therapist Assistant ($65,510 median) to Physical Therapist ($101,020 median) represents a 54% salary increase based on BLS national median data.
Each step requires additional education and licensing. Physical Therapist Assistant: Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA. Physical Therapist: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) + NPTE. The total time depends on the pace of your education and state-specific processing times.
Salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 national medians. Licensing costs and timelines are averages across all US states derived from verified state licensing board data. Individual state requirements vary — see state-specific pages for details.