Rehabilitation
Physical therapist assistant
Help patients practice movement and rehabilitation activities under a physical therapist’s direction.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
Associate program + credentials
An assistant program includes laboratory and clinical work. Confirm prerequisites, examination and Oregon licensing requirements. Becoming a physical therapist is a different, longer graduate pathway.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “Associate's degree.” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Lane Community College
Physical Therapist Assistant
Prepare to support physical therapists in rehabilitation care.
Ask: How much time do prerequisites, travel, campus labs and clinical placements add?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Mt. Hood Community College
Physical Therapist Assistant
Study therapeutic exercise, mobility and rehabilitation through classroom, laboratory and clinical learning. Graduates prepare for the PTA examination and practice under a physical therapist's supervision.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Physical Therapist Assistant plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
Would I enjoy coaching patients through repeated exercises and tracking their progress?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $35.19. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 827 jobs in 2024 to 1,031 in 2034. The projected 1,508 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
How to read wage information →