Last updated: July 21st, 2022 If a career as a physical therapy assistant (PTA) in Arizona (AZ) strongly appeals to you, then there could be no better time to pursue your dreams. The demand for and remuneration of physical therapy assistants has increased steadily over the last decade. Employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow by a massive 30% over the coming years with a projected additional 25,000
jobs being created between 2016 and 2024. To become a PTA in Arizona, you must have graduated from an accredited physical therapy assistant program. There are currently five fully accredited PTA schools in Arizona. Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Arizona
The average PTA salary in Arizona is $44,160 which is over 20% less than the national average. Texas is the highest paying State for Physical Therapist Assistants in the USA. In 2015 there were 1,420 persons employed as Physical Therapy Assistants in the State. The table below illustrates key employment and salary data for PTA's in the main metro and city areas in Arizona;
Arizona PTA License RequirementsOnce you have graduated from an accredited program, it is required by Arizona law that you obtain a license to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the State. The Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy regulates the licensing of Physical Therapist Assistants in Arizona. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:Address: 4205 North 7th Avenue, Suite 208, Phoenix, AZ 85013 Email: Related Healthcare Careers in ArizonaPhysical Therapy Assistants fare very well in comparison to similar careers such as Occupational Therapy Assistants, Massage Therapists and Home Health Aides in terms of average salary, from entry-level to well experienced – achieving one of the highest average salary levels. Additionally, in terms of employment figures and growth, it has been flagged as one of the top 5 fastest-growing careers in healthcare by the Bureau For Labor Statistics (BLS). The table below illustrates key data for similar healthcare careers in Arizona;
For more options, you might be interested in exploring programs in nearby states:
You are here: Home / Arizona Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant in ArizonaA physical therapist assistant (PTA) can find work in nursing homes, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. This is a perfect career field for anyone who enjoys helping people and wants to make a difference in the life of anyone who has been injured or is recovering from surgery. A physical therapist assistant will always work under a fully certified physical therapist (PT). They will be given directions from the PT, help them with patients and report back to them concerning each patient’s progress. Obtaining Your LicenseTo become a PTA in Arizona, you must first graduate from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. Regardless of which college you attend, you will need to complete an approved internship in addition to traditional coursework. Some of the classes you will need to take are biomechanics, kinesiology and clinical pathology. Once you have graduated, it will then be time for you to submit an application for examination and certification to the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy. After your application has been reviewed and approved, the next step is to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and the Arizona Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Examination. The national exam is given in Flagstaff, Tucson, Goodyear, Tempe and Phoenix. In order to pass, you will need to score a minimum of 600. PTA Education Programs in ArizonaIt takes two years to complete a PTA degree from most colleges in Arizona. This will include about 75 percent classroom and laboratory time and 25 percent clinical work. Some colleges that offer PTA degree programs are:
Career and Salary StatisticsPTAs in Arizona make an average of $55,020 a year. This is close to the national average, which is $56,850 a year. This salary can change drastically depending on what kind of environment you work in. Industrial or workplace settings generally pay the least, while physical therapy offices and sports and fitness facilities are likely to pay the most. Getting a PTA degree in Arizona costs between $3,000 and $15,000 a year. This is a good career path, as the need for PTAs continues to grow in throughout the state. According to data collected by the Projections Managing Partnership (PMP), 870 PTAs were working in Arizona in 2016. PMP predicts that by 2026 that number will rise to 1,310. Employment OutlookAs the general population ages, the need for PTAs will continue to increase; in fact, there is already a shortage of physical therapy assistants in most areas. This means that many types of employers are offering great incentives for PTAs who are looking for work. The highest paying cities for PTAs to seek work in Arizona are Phoenix, Tucson and Mesa. The lowest paying cities are reported to be Cave Creek, Bisbee and Winslow. Popular CollegesFAQsHow much do physical therapist assistants earn in the state of Arizona?According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapist assistants in the state of Arizona made an average of $43,500 per year in 2019. Entry-level physical therapist assistants earned around $26,420 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $74,170. College ListingsHow long does it take to become a physical therapist assistant?The length of a PTA program is typically two years (five semesters). Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to, anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, clinical pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, and ethics/values.
What schools in Arizona offer physical therapy programs?Physical Therapy Schools in Arizona accredited by CAPTE:. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Mesa AZ.. Franklin Pierce University, Goodyear AZ.. Midwestern University, Glendale AZ.. Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ.. Northern Arizona University, Phoenix AZ.. How much do PTA make in Arizona?How much does a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant make in Arizona? The average Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Arizona is $62,115 as of September 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $56,534 and $68,040.
Where do PTAs get paid the most?10 States Where Physical Therapist Assistants Earn the Most Money. New Jersey average physical therapist assistant salary: $69,480.. Texas average physical therapist assistant salary: $68,680.. California average physical therapist assistant salary: $66,150.. Connecticut average physical therapist assistant salary: $65,510.. |