Physical Therapist Assistant Resume Examples & Templates for 2025

Explore physical therapist assistant resume examples and tips to help you showcase your teamwork skills and hands-on experience without sounding too technical.

By Elizabeth Muenzen, CPRW, Career Advice Writer Last Updated: August 29, 2025

More Physical Therapy Resume Examples

These physical therapy resume samples provide a solid basis for crafting a resume that stands out in healthcare roles.

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Physical Therapist Assistant Resume Template (Text Version)

Min Lee

Brookfield, WI 53005
(555)555-5555
Min.Lee@example.com

Professional Summary

Dedicated Physical Therapist Assistant with 9 years of experience. Proven success in enhancing patient mobility and satisfaction. Skilled in therapeutic exercise and patient collaboration.

Work History

Physical Therapist Assistant
SunRidge Physical Therapy – Brookfield, WI
August 2022 – August 2025

  • Improved patient mobility by 25% within 6 months
  • Reduced recovery time by implementing new exercises
  • Assisted 150+ patients with personalized care plans

Rehabilitation Aide
GreenLeaf Rehab Center – Milwaukee, WI
January 2019 – July 2022

  • Assisted therapists with patient treatment sessions
  • Managed clinic inventory, reduced costs by 10%
  • Supported 500+ patients in maintaining therapy routines

Patient Care Technician
Wellness Health Services – Brookfield, WI
September 2016 – December 2018

  • Monitored patient vitals, achieving 98% accuracy rates
  • Trained new staff on patient care protocols
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by 30% through care initiatives

Skills

  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Patient Care
  • Manual Therapy
  • Documentation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Team Collaboration
  • Time Management
  • Physical Therapy Modalities

Education

Master of Science Physical Therapy
University of Texas Austin, Texas
May 2016

Bachelor of Science Kinesiology
Texas State University San Marcos, Texas
May 2014

Certifications

  • Certified Physical Therapist Assistant – American Physical Therapy Association
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support – American Heart Association

Languages

  • Spanish – Beginner (A1)
  • French – Intermediate (B1)
  • German – Beginner (A1)

Advice for Writing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Resume

Discover helpful advice on how to write a resume for a physical therapist assistant role and learn how to highlight your hands-on skills, passion for patient care, and dedication to supporting recovery.

Write a strong professional summary

A professional summary is a quick intro on your resume that helps hiring managers get to know you fast. It’s like a snapshot of who you are and what you can do right away.

A professional summary suits individuals with some work history—like experienced physical therapist assistants. It offers a brief look at your skills, past jobs, and key wins, showcasing who you are professionally and the value you bring. Consider it a way to highlight what you’ve accomplished in your career so far.

In contrast, resume objectives focus on future goals and are ideal for those just starting out, switching careers, or returning after a break. Objectives emphasize more on what you aim to contribute rather than past achievements.

Next up, we’ll provide examples of both summaries and objectives tailored to various industries and levels of experience so you can see how they fit different situations.

Physical therapist assistant resume summary examples

Entry-level
Recent CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant program graduate with hands-on experience in clinical rotations, specializing in therapeutic exercises and patient mobility improvement. Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and proficient in using rehabilitation equipment and documenting patient progress. Passionate about supporting physical therapists and providing compassionate care to patients.

Mid-career
Dedicated physical therapist assistant with over five years of experience in outpatient and acute care settings. Skilled in implementing treatment plans, assisting with manual therapy, and educating patients on home exercise programs. Licensed in California, certified in Advanced Skill Pathway (APP) for orthopedics, and known for exceptional communication skills and a patient-centered approach to rehabilitation.

Experienced
Specialized physical therapist assistant with expertise in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation. Licensed PTA with certifications in lymphedema management and kinesiology taping. Adept at assisting patients with complex rehabilitation needs and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to achieve optimal recovery outcomes. Committed to delivering empathetic care and promoting patient independence.

Physical therapist assistant resume objective examples

Entry-level
Aspiring physical therapist assistant eager to begin a career in rehabilitation by using knowledge acquired from an accredited PTA program. Committed to aiding physical therapists in delivering effective treatment and improving patient recovery experiences.

Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning from the fitness industry into physical therapy assistance, bringing strong interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of body mechanics. Ready to contribute positively to patient care teams by facilitating therapeutic exercises and assisting with mobility improvement.

Recent graduate
Energetic recent graduate of a physical therapist assistant program looking to apply academic learning and hands-on training in a supportive clinical environment. Focused on promoting patient progress through teamwork and evidence-based practices.

Include relevant certifications and training

Listing certifications and training on your resume as a physical therapist assistant shows that you meet industry standards and are prepared to handle the technical aspects of the role.

Certifications prove that you have completed specialized education and passed exams, which is important in healthcare jobs where skills directly impact patient care. Having these credentials ensures employers know you’re qualified and committed to staying current in your field.

  • Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification
  • CPR/AED Certification
  • Specialized Training in Neurological Rehabilitation

Including certifications gives you an edge by showing expertise and dedication to growth within the physical therapy field. It complements your education section, making your qualifications stand out more clearly to hiring managers.

Example of a certifications section

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
Issued by: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
Expires 2025

CPR and AED Certification
Issued by: American Heart Association
Expires 2026

First Aid Certification
Issued by: National Safety Council
Issued 2023

Showcase your work experience

Your work experience is key to helping potential employers understand your skills and contributions. Start with your most recent job and work backward, listing each role clearly. For each position, include the job title, employer name, location, and employment dates.

This format lets hiring managers quickly see how you’ve progressed in your career. Use action-oriented language to describe what you did in each role. Instead of simply stating duties, show how you made a difference at each workplace.

When detailing your work experience, focus on measurable results that highlight your impact. Mentioning the number of patients you assisted daily or improvements in patient recovery times due to your care can be beneficial.

Core responsibilities for a physical therapist assistant might include helping patients exercise safely, setting up equipment, recording progress, and collaborating with therapists to adjust treatment plans. These details give employers a clear picture of what you can do and how you’ve helped others succeed.

Ensure the descriptions are easy to read and understand by using simple sentences and avoiding technical jargon without explanation. This approach ensures that anyone reviewing your resume sees the value you brought to past positions as a physical therapist assistant, making it easier for them to envision you bringing similar benefits to their team.

5 physical therapist assistant work history bullet points

  • Assisted in the development of personalized treatment plans for 50+ patients, resulting in a 25% improvement in recovery times.
  • Conducted therapeutic exercises and modalities under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, improving patient mobility by 20%.
  • Collaborated with a team to implement new rehabilitation techniques, increasing patient satisfaction scores by 15%.
  • Educated patients and families on home exercise programs, contributing to a 30% reduction in clinic visits for follow-up care.
  • Managed therapy equipment inventory, ensuring availability and reducing supply costs by 10%.

Match your resume with the job description

Tailoring resumes to job descriptions is essential for job seekers aiming to stand out and pass through ATS. ATS scans resumes for specific keywords and phrases from job postings, making it important to customize your resume with the language used by employers.

An ATS-friendly resume incorporates keywords and phrases aligned with your skills and the job description. By doing this, you increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers who rely on these systems to filter applicants.

To identify keywords from job postings, focus on skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned repeatedly. For a physical therapist assistant role, look for terms like “patient care,” “clinical assessments,” or “healthcare team collaboration.” Using exact phrases helps ensure your resume matches what employers are seeking.

Incorporating these terms naturally into your resume involves rewriting job descriptions using similar language. For example, transform “provide high-quality patient care” into “delivered high-quality patient care to improve overall health outcomes,” ensuring your experience aligns directly with the position’s requirements.

Targeted resumes offer benefits for ATS compatibility by increasing visibility in searches and aligning closely with employer expectations. This approach boosts your chances of securing an interview and ultimately landing the job.

Salary Insights for Physical Therapist Assistants

Looking at salary data helps people understand job trends and what to expect in the job market. More details are provided below.

Top 10 highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants

Physical Therapist Assistants earn varying salaries across the United States, with a national average of $64,118. The table below highlights the states where physical therapist assistants command the highest compensation.

Our salary information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. This official government data provides the most comprehensive and reliable salary information for physical therapist assistants across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The figures presented here reflect the May 2025 dataset, which is the most recent available as of this publication.

StateAverage Salary
California$83,190
Massachusetts$75,360
Virginia$72,570
Alaska$72,840
Texas$71,460
New Jersey$71,620
Connecticut$70,470
Georgia$69,900
New Hampshire$69,590
Florida$68,460
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 dataset (latest available).

FAQ

Do I need to include a cover letter with my physical therapist assistant resume?

Yes, including a cover letter with your physical therapist assistant resume can set you apart from other applicants and boost your chances of landing an interview.

A cover letter allows you to showcase your enthusiasm for the position and bring attention to specific skills or experiences that align with the clinic or healthcare setting’s needs.

If the facility emphasizes areas like sports rehabilitation or geriatric care, be sure to highlight any related experience or training.

Using a Cover Letter Generator can help you create a personalized application that effectively presents key details.

Additionally, exploring our cover letter examples may offer inspiration and structure for your writing.

For tailored advice, check out this physical therapist assistant cover letter as a targeted reference.

How long should a physical therapist assistant’s resume be?

For a physical therapist assistant, a one-page resume is often enough to highlight your skills, certifications, and relevant experience. This format emphasizes key aspects of your career, like hands-on patient care and therapeutic techniques.

If you have extensive experience or specialized training that distinguishes you, a two-page resume may be better. It offers room for a more detailed overview of your work in various clinical settings.

Check out our guide on how long a resume should be for tips and examples tailored to different career stages.

How do you write a physical therapist assistant resume with no experience?

When crafting a resume with no experience for a physical therapist assistant, highlight your education, certifications, and transferable skills relevant to the role. Follow these tips:

  • Showcase your education and credentials: Start with your PTA degree or certification. Include the institution name, graduation date, and any coursework relevant to physical therapy techniques or patient care.
  • Include clinical internships or practicum experience: Detail any hands-on training from your PTA program. Highlight tasks like assisting in treatment plans, educating patients about exercises, or working alongside licensed PTs during rehabilitation sessions.
  • Focus on transferable skills: If you have prior roles in customer service, fitness training, or caregiving, emphasize communication, teamwork, and patient empathy—qualities essential for a PTA.
  • Add volunteer work or extracurriculars: Mention experiences like volunteering at rehab centers or participating in health-related organizations to show initiative and passion for healthcare.

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