National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$67,076
Average (Mean)
$66,841
Employed Nationwide
112,400
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $25,263 more (60.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$41,812
$67,076
Average (Mean) Salary
$42,553
$66,841
Total Employment
1,448,920
112,400
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 | $34,140 | $61,430 | $-27,290 | ||
| Alaska | $46,370 | $77,640 | $-31,270 | ||
| Arizona | $44,780 | $64,650 | $-19,870 | ||
| Arkansas | $34,430 | $64,520 | $-30,090 | ||
| California | $47,630 | $83,110 | $-35,480 | ||
| Colorado | $47,380 | $64,810 | $-17,430 | ||
| Connecticut | $44,790 | $75,880 | $-31,090 | ||
| Delaware | $42,030 | $74,610 | $-32,580 | ||
| District of Columbia | $47,700 | $63,400 | $-15,700 | ||
| Florida | $37,510 | $72,530 | $-35,020 | ||
| Georgia | $37,680 | $72,800 | $-35,120 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,350 | $67,510 | $-22,160 | ||
| Idaho | $38,650 | $61,020 | $-22,370 | ||
| Illinois | $45,960 | $65,240 | $-19,280 | ||
| Indiana | $38,330 | $65,280 | $-26,950 | ||
| Iowa | $39,350 | $61,030 | $-21,680 | ||
| Kansas | $38,010 | $64,500 | $-26,490 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,370 | $61,480 | $-23,110 | ||
| Louisiana | $30,510 | $65,370 | $-34,860 | ||
| Maine | $47,070 | $66,250 | $-19,180 | ||
| Maryland | $43,240 | $77,670 | $-34,430 | ||
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | $79,460 | $-32,780 | ||
| Michigan | $39,570 | $61,670 | $-22,100 | ||
| Minnesota | $46,680 | $66,770 | $-20,090 | ||
| Mississippi | $31,520 | $61,770 | $-30,250 | ||
| Missouri | $37,680 | $63,770 | $-26,090 | ||
| Montana | $40,900 | $62,650 | $-21,750 | ||
| Nebraska | $40,000 | $61,370 | $-21,370 | ||
| Nevada | $45,490 | $75,520 | $-30,030 | ||
| New Hampshire | $47,870 | $71,440 | $-23,570 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,830 | $78,440 | $-31,610 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,390 | $62,280 | $-22,890 | ||
| New York | $48,590 | $64,100 | $-15,510 | ||
| North Carolina | $38,460 | $67,540 | $-29,080 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,820 | $63,520 | $-17,700 | ||
| Ohio | $39,010 | $63,820 | $-24,810 | ||
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | $59,480 | $-23,550 | ||
| Oregon | $49,830 | $73,180 | $-23,350 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | $62,580 | $-17,990 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,440 | $68,640 | $-22,200 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,220 | $70,500 | $-33,280 | ||
| South Dakota | $38,800 | $49,310 | $-10,510 | ||
| Tennessee | $37,990 | $62,500 | $-24,510 | ||
| Texas | $37,500 | $78,000 | $-40,500 | ||
| Utah | $39,840 | $61,980 | $-22,140 | ||
| Vermont | $47,130 | $71,600 | $-24,470 | ||
| Virginia | $43,200 | $73,760 | $-30,560 | ||
| Washington | $49,180 | $66,450 | $-17,270 | ||
| West Virginia | $36,720 | $60,430 | $-23,710 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | $64,080 | $-18,950 | ||
| Wyoming | $39,160 | $63,550 | $-24,390 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Nursing Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $25,263 (60.4%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Nursing Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Nursing Assistants is $41,812 per year, compared to $67,076 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Nursing Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions and 112,400 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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