Is PTA a Good Career Choice?

If you’re thinking about pursuing a healthcare degree and enjoy working with people, a physical therapist assistant (PTA) program could be a great option. PTAs play a critical role in our healthcare system. These professionals help patients regain mobility and manage pain, improving their quality of life. PTA careers offer strong job prospects and faster workforce entry compared to other in-demand healthcare roles, meaning you’ll have the opportunity to build a stable career while making a tangible impact on patients’ lives.

Deciding whether a career as a PTA is the right fit for you depends on your personal goals, interests, and, to some degree, your lifestyle preferences. There’s no doubt the profession offers strong earning potential right out of college and rewarding interactions with patients, but it also comes with physical, emotional, and educational demands.

One of the most appealing aspects of choosing to be a PTA is how much shorter the educational path is compared to that of a physical therapist (PT), registered nurse, or physician. PTAs need a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree and must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for licensure. Degree programs like Villa’s include hands-on clinicals within the PTA curriculum to meet practical training requirements. Additionally, PTAs must be members of the American Physical Therapy Association and obtain a CPR certification, which is often provided through PTA programs.

By comparison, becoming a licensed physical therapist requires a much longer commitment. These healthcare professionals must earn both a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate, equivalent to about seven years of education. Becoming a PTA is a more efficient and potentially cost-effective option for students who want to enter the healthcare profession quickly.

The physical therapist assistant job outlook is exceptionally bright, so these professionals can expect strong job prospects and competitive salaries. The median annual wage for PTAs is $64,080. The demand for PTAs is also projected to grow by 19% over the next decade—far surpassing most occupations. With approximately 27,500 job openings each year, students pursuing this field can expect solid employment opportunities in the years to come. Many PTAs also earn comprehensive benefits like health insurance, dental coverage, life insurance, and 401(k) retirement plans. Given the relatively low cost of an associate degree compared to bachelor’s or doctoral programs, PTA graduates often find themselves in a strong financial position soon after entering the workforce.

The healthcare industry is known for demanding, nontraditional schedules. However, PTAs generally enjoy more consistent, regular hours than many other healthcare professionals. While some positions require evening, weekend, or holiday shifts, many PTAs work in outpatient clinics that follow standard business hours. For those working in hospitals or rehabilitation centers, other popular work settings for PTAs, shifts may be as long as 12 hours, but this often means you’ll have more days off each week. PTA work schedules largely depend on the type of facility, but overall, these professionals experience a good work-life balance compared to other roles in healthcare.

Beyond job salary and stability, working as a PTA is deeply fulfilling. PTAs are directly involved with patients’ care and recovery. They work closely with individuals to overcome mobility challenges and pain following an injury, surgery, or medical condition. The work PTAs do helps patients regain independence and confidence. With a variety of patients to attend to and treatment plans to execute, no two days are the same. Building relationships with patients and witnessing their progress can be very satisfying, making this career ideal for people passionate about helping others.

Working as a PTA has many benefits, but that doesn’t mean the career is without challenges. The job is physically demanding; PTAs are on their feet for much of the day, assisting patients with exercises. They likely oversee a few patients at a time, which demands good organizational, interpersonal, and multitasking skills. Because PTAs play a significant role in patient care, attention to detail and professionalism are critical.

Continuing education is often required for career advancement. Organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association offer specialization courses, allowing PTAs to maintain 10 years of eligibility working in a specific area of the field. Some PTAs also choose to further their education and become PTs or move into educational roles themselves as clinical or academic instructors.

Villa’s PTA students boast an 80% employment rate within six months of licensure in a variety of settings, including outpatient clients, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Our program is renowned for its strong academic support, hands-on training, and state-of-the-art facilities. Reach out today to learn more about our PTA program.