National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$63,937
Average (Mean)
$63,704
Employed Nationwide
103,990
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $25,289 more (65.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,647
$63,937
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,464
$63,704
Total Employment
1,351,770
103,990
States with Higher Pay
0
51
Salary by State: Nursing Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Nursing Assistants pays more in 0 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 51.
| State | Nursing Assistants | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $30,540 | $60,490 | $-29,950 | ||
| Alaska | $45,480 | $63,430 | $-17,950 | ||
| Arizona | $39,920 | $62,790 | $-22,870 | ||
| Arkansas | $31,230 | $64,790 | $-33,560 | ||
| California | $45,170 | $79,630 | $-34,460 | ||
| Colorado | $42,520 | $64,180 | $-21,660 | ||
| Connecticut | $40,890 | $72,170 | $-31,280 | ||
| Delaware | $38,240 | $63,190 | $-24,950 | ||
| District of Columbia | $46,220 | $69,650 | $-23,430 | ||
| Florida | $36,340 | $65,710 | $-29,370 | ||
| Georgia | $34,710 | $73,120 | $-38,410 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,080 | $57,710 | $-13,630 | ||
| Idaho | $37,120 | $59,660 | $-22,540 | ||
| Illinois | $39,510 | $63,200 | $-23,690 | ||
| Indiana | $36,790 | $62,710 | $-25,920 | ||
| Iowa | $37,340 | $58,700 | $-21,360 | ||
| Kansas | $35,450 | $61,160 | $-25,710 | ||
| Kentucky | $36,510 | $61,080 | $-24,570 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,070 | $60,790 | $-31,720 | ||
| Maine | $43,120 | $59,350 | $-16,230 | ||
| Maryland | $38,620 | $73,400 | $-34,780 | ||
| Massachusetts | $44,200 | $75,160 | $-30,960 | ||
| Michigan | $37,940 | $60,780 | $-22,840 | ||
| Minnesota | $41,940 | $60,980 | $-19,040 | ||
| Mississippi | $29,310 | $62,090 | $-32,780 | ||
| Missouri | $36,260 | $61,310 | $-25,050 | ||
| Montana | $37,970 | $61,410 | $-23,440 | ||
| Nebraska | $37,530 | $57,790 | $-20,260 | ||
| Nevada | $42,200 | $72,650 | $-30,450 | ||
| New Hampshire | $43,940 | $69,110 | $-25,170 | ||
| New Jersey | $41,450 | $70,160 | $-28,710 | ||
| New Mexico | $35,400 | $60,090 | $-24,690 | ||
| New York | $45,890 | $61,930 | $-16,040 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,010 | $63,170 | $-27,160 | ||
| North Dakota | $40,650 | $58,520 | $-17,870 | ||
| Ohio | $38,030 | $61,540 | $-23,510 | ||
| Oklahoma | $33,320 | $64,020 | $-30,700 | ||
| Oregon | $46,260 | $64,040 | $-17,780 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $38,540 | $59,930 | $-21,390 | ||
| Rhode Island | $41,600 | $62,400 | $-20,800 | ||
| South Carolina | $35,090 | $65,010 | $-29,920 | ||
| South Dakota | $35,720 | $52,730 | $-17,010 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,040 | $61,600 | $-26,560 | ||
| Texas | $35,110 | $75,960 | $-40,850 | ||
| Utah | $37,270 | $60,880 | $-23,610 | ||
| Vermont | $40,460 | $66,630 | $-26,170 | ||
| Virginia | $36,820 | $65,840 | $-29,020 | ||
| Washington | $46,000 | $67,470 | $-21,470 | ||
| West Virginia | $35,490 | $60,010 | $-24,520 | ||
| Wisconsin | $40,010 | $61,730 | $-21,720 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,710 | $58,940 | $-22,230 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Nursing Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
On average across all states, a Physical Therapist Assistants earns more than a Nursing Assistants. The national median salary difference is $25,289 (65.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Nursing Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Nursing Assistants is $38,647 per year, compared to $63,937 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Nursing Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 1,351,770 Nursing Assistants positions and 103,990 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Nursing Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
Both Nursing Assistants and Physical Therapist Assistants are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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