Best institutions to study Physical Therapy Technician/Aide
A program that prepares individuals to assist in rehabilitation services under the supervision of physical therapists, and to perform routine functions in support of physical therapy and rehabilitation.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 28 Physical Therapy Technician/Aide students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2605, a specialization of Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies (CIP 51.26), and leads most directly to the Physical Therapist Aides occupation (BLS SOC 31-2022).
About Physical Therapy Technician/Aide programs
A program that prepares individuals to assist in rehabilitation services under the supervision of physical therapists, and to perform routine functions in support of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Includes instruction in applied kinesiology, basic function of the human body, communication skills, principles and procedures of physical therapy, physical therapy modalities, and professional ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physical Therapy Technician/Aide program prepares individuals to assist in rehabilitation services under the supervision of physical therapists. This program is ideal for those interested in supporting patients during their recovery process and performing routine functions in a physical therapy environment. Students will gain valuable skills that are essential for a successful career in health professions.
Core coursework includes applied kinesiology, the basic functions of the human body, communication skills, and the principles and procedures of physical therapy. Students will also learn about physical therapy modalities and professional ethics, equipping them with the knowledge necessary to support patient care effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Physical Therapy Technician/Aide graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years28 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Physical Therapy Technician/Aide completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 28 |
CIP 51.2605 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 1 institutions for Physical Therapy Technician/Aide, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern California Health Institute North Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 87% | $26,692 |
Offered in 1 states
Where Physical Therapy Technician/Aide graduates come from. Each state links to all Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 28 | Southern California Health Institute28 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-2022, Physical Therapist Aides, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physical Therapy Technician/Aide program can pursue careers as Physical Therapist Aides. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.8% and approximately 6,600 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $34,520, and typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2605
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical Therapist Aidesprimary SOC 31-2022 | $35,240 | +2.8% About as fast as average | ~6,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Physical Therapy Technician/Aide programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
- Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
Tools and technology used
Other Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies (CIP 51.26).
- Home Health Aide/CIP 51.2602
Home Attendant 4,307 graduates / yr51 institutions - Medication AideCIP 51.2603780 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Health AideCIP 51.2601368 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Rehabilitation AideCIP 51.2604167 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Health Aides/CIP 51.2699
Attendants/ Orderlies partial data39 graduates / yr4 institutions
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program awards a credential that typically requires at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and communication, which are essential for assisting in patient care.
What kind of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
You can work as a Physical Therapist Aide, assisting in rehabilitation services and supporting physical therapy staff.
What is the job outlook for Physical Therapist Aides?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a projected growth rate of 2.8% and around 6,600 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Physical Therapy Technician/Aide?+
Physical Therapy Technician/Aide is CIP 51.2605 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies (CIP 51.26). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to assist in rehabilitation services under the supervision of physical therapists, and to perform routine functions in support of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Includes instruction in applied kinesiology, basic function of the human body, communication skills, principles and procedures of physical therapy, physical therapy modalities, and professional ethics.
How many institutions offer Physical Therapy Technician/Aide programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Physical Therapy Technician/Aide graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 28 credentials in the year. That is 0.5% of all Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies graduates.
How much do Physical Therapy Technician/Aide graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physical Therapist Aides occupation, which Physical Therapy Technician/Aide most directly leads to, pays a median of $35,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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