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Physical therapists help individuals recover from injuries, regain mobility and manage chronic conditions. However, they can't do their work alone. They rely on physical therapist aides to help them prepare treatment areas, transport patients and complete administrative tasks. Those interested in this career should be well-organized and enjoy working in teams. Physical therapist aide schools provide the training that's often needed to step into these roles. Considering that this is the 11^th fastest growing occupation in the nation according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), training to enter these positions could be very much worth your while.

Physical therapist aide salaries

Before enrolling in physical therapist aide training online, many wish to learn more about the salary potential for this career. The government tracks income data through the BLS. While the bureau hasn't finished compiling data for 2011, it did find physical therapist aides earned mean annual wages of $25,000 in 2010. Aides in Alaska, Vermont and Hawaii earned most with mean annual wages exceeding $30,000 in each of those states. Physical therapist aides might also want to consider working in Evansville, Ind. which had mean annual wages of $35,020, but offers a lower cost of living.

States with the greatest level of employment for physical therapist aides generally had mean annual wages similar to the national average:

• California ($27,350)
• Texas ($22,460)
• New Jersey ($25,110)

In addition to the BLS, other sources provide details on what can be expected for a physical therapist aide salary. Salary figures are included in calculations at sites such as GlassDoor.com where visitors voluntarily submit their compensation. According to GlassDoor, physical therapist aides report earnings that range between $9 an hour to $13 an hour. Meanwhile, Salary.com surveyed employers to find aides have a median salary of $26,777.

Options for physical therapist aide training online

Unlike physical therapists who need a master's degree, physical therapist aides can be ready to enter the workforce in less than a year. Many physical therapist aide schools offer diploma programs that cover the both the medical and administrative aspects of working in this profession. The curriculum at these programs may include an introduction to the following:

• Medical terminology
• Physical therapy treatments
• Customer service
• Health and safety in the workplace

Physical therapist aides wishing to advance their careers can earn an associate degree from an accredited program. Then, they may apply for licensure in their state and work as physical therapy assistants.

Physical therapist aides to see job growth

When it comes to hot jobs, only a few occupations are in greater demand than physical therapist aides. The BLS estimates job growth for the career will be 36 percent from 2008-2018. Job openings are expected to be greatest in facilities that regularly serve the elderly, such as skilled nursing, acute hospital and orthopedic settings. After completing physical therapist aide training online, individuals may find job prospects are best in rural areas which have been traditionally underserved by physical therapists.

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