According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to have the sixth-fastest growth rate (44.4 percent) in occupational employment through 2014. Regionally, Wyoming projects a 46 percent growth rate through 2012; Colorado projects a 50 percent growth rate through 2012; and Nebraska projects a growth rate of 31 percent through 2012, according to state occupational projections.

The 2008 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the national mean income for a physical therapist assistant is $46,300 and the national mean hourly rate is $22.26.

 

State	Median hourly rate	Mean annual salary
Wyoming	$16.92	$35,190
Colorado	$18.28	$38,030
Nebraska	$19.78	$41,150

These state-reported salary rates are consistent with the results of LCCC’s needs assessment, which indicated the mean starting salary for a physical therapist assistant at $30,800, with increases to $35,275 after three years.