Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Physical Therapist Assistants (31-2021) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

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Physical Therapist Assistants
Employment Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants
Statewide Employment Analysis 2006 employment is estimated to be at about the statewide average. This occupation is expected to grow much faster than the statewide average. Total job openings are projected to be at about the statewide average.

Reasonable, but limited, employment opportunities exist for trained workers.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Job Openings for Physical Therapist Assistants There are 8 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 8 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Physical Therapy Assistant / Pta 2/2/10 Forest Grove
Physical Therapy Assistant - Home Health 1/25/10 Mcminnville DOE
Physical Therapy Assistant #59757 1/21/10 Portland $17.81/hr to $27.15/hr
Physical Therapy Assistant (Home Health) - Part Time/Prn 12/30/09 Roseburg DOE
Physical Therapy Assistant (Home Health) - Full Time 12/30/09 Roseburg DOE
Physical Therapy Assistant / Pta 12/22/09 Forest Grove
Instructor Pool Physical Therapist Assistant - 0600516 11/24/09 Eugene DOE
Physical Therapist Assistant 2/19/08 Roseburg $18.25/hr to $26.37/hr DOE
State of Oregon License Information for Physical Therapist Assistants No statewide license is required for this occupation.
Wages for Physical Therapist Assistants
Region ---------------- 2009 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $16.88 $19.34 $22.19 $24.74 $26.69 $21.71 $45,157
Multnomah / Washington 17.25 20.12 22.64 24.83 26.58 22.05 45,867
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 17.23 19.04 21.49 23.84 25.36 21.28 44,271
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 14.05 19.86 24.37 27.70 30.29 23.11 48,067
Lane 13.89 16.46 19.55 24.13 28.82 20.28 42,177
Jackson / Josephine 20.28 21.59 23.28 24.99 26.86 23.26 48,376
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 17.88 19.51 22.13 25.58 28.53 22.54 46,873
Baker / Union / Wallowa 18.20 20.38 22.19 24.03 25.13 21.79 45,331
Clackamas 17.84 19.31 21.38 24.13 25.85 21.57 44,856
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Physical Therapist Assistants
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2006 2016 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 475 640 165 34.7% 17 9 26
Multnomah / Washington 195 268 73 37.4% 7 4 11
Clackamas 96 130 34 35.4% 3 2 5
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 46 67 21 45.7% 2 1 3
Jackson / Josephine 36 50 14 38.9% 1 1 2
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 30 43 13 43.3% 1 1 2
Lane 30 39 9 30.0% 1 1 2
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 13 16 3 23.1% 0 0 1
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 11 13 2 18.2% 0 0 0
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 9 13 4 44.4% 0 0 1
Coos / Curry 9 11 2 22.2% 0 0 0
Klamath / Lake 8 7 -1 -12.5% 0 0 0
Douglas 7 9 2 28.6% 0 0 0
Morrow / Umatilla 7 8 1 14.3% 0 0 0
Baker / Union / Wallowa 6 8 2 33.3% 0 0 0
Grant / Harney / Malheur 3 4 1 33.3% 0 0 0

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Physical Therapist Assistants
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2006
Employment
Total, All Industries All 475
Total, All Industries Private 444
Health Care and Social Assistance Private 444
Ambulatory Health Care Services Private 264
Offices of Physicians Private 14
Offices of Other Health Practitioners Private 226
Outpatient Care Centers Private 13
Home Health Care Services Private 11
Hospitals Private 150
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities Private 30
Nursing Care Facilities Private 24
Total, All Industries Local 29
Educational Services Local 11
Public Administration Local 13
Administration of Human Resource Programs Local 13
Educational Requirements for Physical Therapist Assistants Workers must have an associate to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with an associate degree and related work experience have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Physical Therapist Assistants
  • Analyze Patient Activity
  • Analyze Therapy Response
  • Apply Disabilities Theory
  • Apply Health And Sanitation Standards
  • Apply Human Anatomy And Physiology Knowledge
  • Apply Human Developmental Disease Theory
  • Apply Human Growth And Development Theory
  • Apply Human Kinesiology Theory
  • Apply Massage Therapy Treatments
  • Apply Motivational Techniques In Physical Therapy Setting
  • Apply Neurology Theory
  • Apply Patient Care Procedures
  • Apply Physiotherapy Techniques
  • Apply Traction
  • Fit Medical Supportive Devices
  • Follow Medical Office Procedures
  • Maintain And Compile Medical Records And Charts
  • Observe Patients, Report Patients' Condition And Responses To Treatment
  • Perform Physical Therapy
  • Position Patients For Therapy
  • Practice Preventive Procedures In Medical Therapy Setting
  • Prepare Patients For Therapy
  • Process Medical Records
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Provide Medical Treatments To Patients
  • Refer Clients And Patients To Community Services
  • Retrieve Files And Charts
  • Structure Therapy Treatments To Patient Need
  • Take Vital Signs
  • Teach Medical Self Care
  • Use Clinical Sterilizing Techniques
  • Use Medical Equipment In Direct Patient Care
  • Use Medical Terminology
  • Use Physical Therapy Equipment And Materials
  • Weigh Patients
Schools and Training Providers for Physical Therapist Assistants The training providers listed below offer one or more of the following programs:

Mt Hood Community College
26000 SE Stark St
Gresham, OR 97030
Phone: (503) 491-6422
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Physical Therapist Assistants These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Lane Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Physical Therapist Assistants matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Occupational Therapist Assistants 84%
Physical Therapist Aides 62%
Occupational Therapist Aides 57%
Physical Therapists 43%
Therapists, All Other 41%
Occupational Therapists 39%
Recreational Therapists 36%
Respiratory Therapists 29%
Podiatrists 24%
Licensed Practical And Licensed Vocational Nurses 24%