For Educators: Military Resources
Military Physical Therapy Specialists
Median Salary
97,001
Workforce Count
481
Overview
What are the responsibilities of this role?
Physical therapy specialists support physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. Under the direction of a physical therapist and following medical referral, these specialists administer physical therapy to decrease physical disabilities and promote physical fitness of service members. They treat disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and therapeutic exercise, rather than by drugs or surgery.
What is the work environment like?
Physical therapy assistants work in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
How many people have this role in the Military?
481
Compensation
Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Always fixed based on rank and service time.
- Distributed monthly.
What is the typical salary range?
Salary by Years of Service
$120,689
2 Years
$95,911
6 Years
$120,689
10+ Years
Median Salary
Military Details
Is this a staff or leadership role?
Enlisted service members execute vital tasks, support operations alongside officers and develop role-specific skills to achieve mission success.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer PathsWhat does the training for this role entail?
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Physical therapy assistants in the Military will gain skills through classroom study, including practice in providing patient healthcare, and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training may include:
- Anatomy, physiology, and psychology
- Methods of therapy, including massage, electric therapy, and radiation therapy
- Handling and positioning of patients
- Principles of rehabilitation
- Patient care
- Working on a medical team
Education
What level of education do professionals in this role have?
Which college majors best prepare you for this role?
- Physical Therapy Assistant
Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree
The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For CollegeSkills and Interest
What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
What personality traits help people thrive in this role?
Social
You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.
Realistic
You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.
Conventional
You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.
RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.
Take the RIASEC Test