On average, local employers in Washington, DC offer higher salaries than many physical therapist assistants expect to earn. In 2014, the United States Department of Labor reported that PTAs working in the District of Columbia received an average annual salary of $50,380 and an average hourly wage of $24.22. Yet, DC’s Department of Employment Services found that at least half of all job candidates looking for physical therapist assistant positions in November 2015 specified a desired salary within the range of just $20,000-$34,999 annually. DC’s propensity for awarding generous salaries to physical therapist assistants has made the profession among the District’s top 25 highest-paying occupations.
Employment Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants in Washington, DC
The United States Department of Labor predicts that the number of physical therapist assistants working in DC will experience a 10% jump in employment opportunities from 2012 through 2022. This occupational growth trend marks physical therapist assistants among DC’s top 20 fastest-growing jobs during this ten-year projection period. As of May 2014, the federal government reported there were 100 PTAs practicing in DC. However, this employment statistic does not account for those physical therapist assistants that may be self-employed.
According to the District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services, the following employers posted the greatest number of online job advertisements for physical therapist assistants throughout DC in November 2015 (These examples are shown for illustrative purposes only. They should not be interpreted as job offers or as a guarantee of employment.):
- RehabCare Group, Inc.
- MedStar National Rehabilitation Network
- Centra Healthcare Solutions
- HealthPRO Management Services
- Heritage Healthcare, Inc.
- Med Travelers
- Universal Health Services, Inc.
- Critical Connection, Inc.
- UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
- Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
A Detailed Look at Physical Therapist Assistant Salaries in Washington, DC
In 2014, the salary statistics released by the United States Department of Labor revealed that most physical therapist assistants in DC are offered pay rates according to their level of experience. For example, entry-level physical therapist assistants were paid an average annual salary of $31,800 and an average hourly wage of $15.27. Moderately experienced physical therapist assistants were given an average annual salary of $48,900 and an average hourly wage of $23.49. Meanwhile, expert physical therapist assistants were offered an average annual salary of $74,700 and an average hourly wage of $35.93.
There are geographic pay differences found among physical therapist assistants working within the greater Washington, DC area. For instance, salary details published by the United States Department of Labor in 2014 indicate that physical therapist assistants working within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area earned an average annual salary of $51,070 and an average hourly wage of $24.55. Those employed in the metropolitan division of this area took home a slightly higher average annual salary of $51,660 and an average hourly wage of $24.83.
A more complete analysis of employment and salary information for physical therapist assistants in the two workforce investment areas that comprise the greater DC area is shown in the data table displayed below (US Department of Labor, 2014):