Physical therapist assistants
SOC Code: 31-2021
Physical therapist assistants carries a 27% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $65,510 and +22.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 111,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 27% AI exposure, Physical therapist assistants sits 10 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 22% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Physical therapist assistants sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Physical therapist assistants has ai exposure of 27%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Physical therapist assistants vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Physical therapist assistants is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021) carries an AI exposure score of 27%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 111,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +22.0% change through 2034 - a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $65,510, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Associate's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Physical therapist assistants. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- 2. Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- 3. Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
- 4. Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- 5. Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- 6. Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- 7. Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- 8. Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- 9. Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
- 10. Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Service Orientation
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Biology
- Administrative
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Physical therapist assistants?
Physical therapist assistants has an AI exposure score of 27%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Physical therapist assistants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Physical therapist assistants is projected to grow by 22.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 111,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Physical therapist assistants?
Key skills for Physical therapist assistants include Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is Associate's degree.
How much do Physical therapist assistants earn?
The median annual wage for Physical therapist assistants is $65,510, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Physical therapist assistants?
The typical entry-level education for Physical therapist assistants is Associate's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Physical therapist assistants?
Physical therapist assistants roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).