7 of the Most Popular Types of Physical Assistant Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Physical Assistant jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Physical Assistant Jobs

• Physical Therapy Assistant

  Salary range: $56,000 - $74,000

  Physical Therapy Assistants help patients during rehabilitation from injury, surgery, or a chronic condition. They work under the direction of a Primary Physical Therapist. As a Physical Therapy Assistant, you work with patients on exercises, stretches, and therapies prescribed by their doctor and physical therapist. Before they start workouts, you may set up heat or cold therapy for the patients to enable them to relax their muscles and reduce pain. You then instruct the patients on how to perform the treatments prescribed by their doctor and the physical therapist. Examples of exercises used during physical therapy include arm lifts on a weight machine, pedaling on a stationary bike, or forward lunges. You move with the patient from station to station, ensuring they have proper form, and document their progress.

• Physical Therapy

  Salary range: $56,000 - $74,000

  Physical Therapy is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Physical Therapy jobs pay between $56,000 (25th percentile) and $74,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Physical Therapy job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Pta

  Salary range: $56,000 - $74,000

  A PTA, or physical therapy assistant, works with patients receiving physical therapy due to injury, surgery, or a chronic condition. They provide care under the direction of a primary physical therapist. Patients are assigned a series of exercises and stretches, depending on what needs to be treated. As a PTA, you set up therapies, such as heat therapy, for the patients to enable them to relax their muscles and reduce pain. You then instruct the patients on how to perform the treatments prescribed by their doctor and the physical therapist. Some examples of exercises used during physical therapy include pedaling on a stationary bike, arm lifts on a weight machine, or forward lunges. You follow the patient from station to station, ensuring they have proper form, and document their progress.

• Physician Assistant

  Salary range: $100,000 - $135,500

  Physician Assistants, or PAs, work in hospitals and medical practices in routine and emergency situations. The duties of a Physician Assistant vary from obtaining patient histories to performing medical procedures and assisting in surgical operations. Their scope of practice varies depending on the state; however, in general, Physician Assistants perform many of the same job duties as medical doctors. They may conduct physical exams, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medication.

• International Physical Therapy Assistant

  Salary range: $56,000 - $74,000

  As an international physical therapy assistant, you travel overseas to assist rehabilitation and perform other duties related to physical therapy treatment under the direction of a licensed physical therapist (PT). Physical therapy assistants may work in a healthcare clinic, at a fitness center, or in an industrial workplace. You work with a patient or client to alleviate medical issues that limit their ability to move or perform daily activities. As a PTA, you guide the patient through movements and exercises, and measure progress and changes in performance. Working internationally allows you to experience new places while helping people with health-related conditions.

• Prn Physical Therapist Assistant

  Salary range: $56,000 - $74,000

  Prn Physical Therapist Assistant is a typical job search query Most salaries for Prn Physical Therapist Assistant jobs pay between $56,000 (25th percentile) and $74,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Prn Physical Therapist Assistant job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Physical Therapy Aide

  Salary range: $30,000 - $36,000

  While a physical therapy aide provides some hands-on assistance during therapy, moving patients from one treatment area to another, ensuring treatment areas are clean, and appropriate equipment is prepared, much of their responsibilities are more clerical. Aides typically handle the coordination of patient treatment locations. Additionally, they may observe patients during treatment and document notes on their progress. Aides will assist with administrative work, making patient phone calls, scheduling appointments, and helping with insurance paperwork.