{"v":"2026-11-02","dataVersion":"ONET-30.3+BLS-MAY25","code":"31-2021.00","slug":"physical-therapist-assistants","title":"Physical Therapist Assistants","alt":["Assistant","Physiotherapy Assistant","Rehabilitation Assistant","SNF PTA","Physical Therapy Assistant","Nursing Facility PTA"],"employment":112430,"wage":{"median":68380,"p25":59820,"p75":78680},"growthPct":22,"exposure":34.9,"taskCount":21,"highCount":2,"midCount":1,"lowCount":18,"aeiObserved":1,"fit":{"mix":{"none":10,"efficient":74.4,"standard":15.7,"frontier":0},"counts":{"none":2,"efficient":16,"standard":3,"frontier":0},"recommended":"efficient","coveragePct":74.4,"addressablePct":90},"tasks":[{"t":"Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.","imp":4.89,"exp":35,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Training and Teaching Others"},{"t":"Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.","imp":4.89,"exp":40,"src":"aei","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Documenting/Recording Information","auto":0.5157,"aug":0.4843},{"t":"Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.","imp":4.85,"exp":80,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings"},{"t":"Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.","imp":4.67,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Training and Teaching Others"},{"t":"Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.","imp":4.56,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating 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and Teaching Others"},{"t":"Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.","imp":4.17,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People"},{"t":"Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.","imp":4.15,"exp":35,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Training and Teaching Others"},{"t":"Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.","imp":4.05,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings"},{"t":"Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.","imp":3.91,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.","imp":3.89,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.","imp":3.88,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.","imp":3.86,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge"},{"t":"Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.","imp":3.82,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.","imp":3.57,"exp":35,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.","imp":3.09,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Performing Administrative Activities"},{"t":"Perform therapeutic wound care.","imp":2.87,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"}],"adjacent":[{"code":"31-2022.00","slug":"physical-therapist-aides","title":"Physical Therapist Aides","overlap":0.81,"months":7,"exposure":35.9,"strong":true},{"code":"29-1123.00","slug":"physical-therapists","title":"Physical Therapists","overlap":0.81,"months":7,"exposure":63.4,"strong":true},{"code":"31-2011.00","slug":"occupational-therapy-assistants","title":"Occupational Therapy Assistants","overlap":0.77,"months":8,"exposure":33.8,"strong":true},{"code":"29-1071.00","slug":"physician-assistants","title":"Physician Assistants","overlap":0.71,"months":10,"exposure":40.7,"strong":true},{"code":"31-2012.00","slug":"occupational-therapy-aides","title":"Occupational Therapy Aides","overlap":0.65,"months":13,"exposure":30.7,"strong":true}]}