Career Paths From Physical Therapist Assistants

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Psychiatric TechniciansCareer Change93.2% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Psychiatric Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Psychiatric Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 34% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$45,130
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Occupational Therapy AidesLateral Move93.9% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Occupational Therapy Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Occupational Therapy Aides sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 43% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$39,160
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Medical AssistantsLateral Move94% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Medical Assistants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Medical Assistants sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 33% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$45,690
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Physical Therapist AidesLateral Move95.2% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Physical Therapist Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Physical Therapist Aides sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 48% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$35,240
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Dental HygienistsCareer Change93.8% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Dental Hygienists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Dental Hygienists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 43% higher.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$98,100
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesCareer Change91.7% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 6% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$64,400
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Registered NursesCareer Change93.3% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Registered Nurses share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Registered Nurses is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 43% higher.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$97,550
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
4
Forensic Science TechniciansCareer Change93.8% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Forensic Science Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Forensic Science Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 5% higher.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$72,060
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Exercise PhysiologistsCareer Change92.9% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Exercise Physiologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Exercise Physiologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 13% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$59,460
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
4
PhlebotomistsLateral Move94.4% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Phlebotomists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Phlebotomists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 34% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$45,230
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Medical DosimetristsCareer Change93.2% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Medical Dosimetrists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Medical Dosimetrists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (4 vs 3). Median salary is about 116% higher.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$147,470
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
4
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsCareer Change91.6% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 31% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$47,160
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Nursing AssistantsLateral Move92.4% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Nursing Assistants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Nursing Assistants sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 38% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$42,260
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
AudiologistsCareer Change92.3% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Audiologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Audiologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 3). Median salary is about 40% higher.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$95,780
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
5
Athletic TrainersCareer Change92.7% skill match
Physical Therapist Assistants and Athletic Trainers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Athletic Trainers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 3). Median salary is about 9% lower.
Current median salary
$68,380
Target median salary
$62,520
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
5

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.