Physical Therapist Assistants
Healthcare Support Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 31-2021.00
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.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.17
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 17 hidden tasks21 rated tasks · 4 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (19.0%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.O*NET Task ID 2021 | 1.0 |
Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.O*NET Task ID 21192 | 1.0 |
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.O*NET Task ID 2017 | 0.5 |
Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.O*NET Task ID 15247 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (21)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. | Core |
| Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment. | Core |
| Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations. | Core |
| Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment. | Core |
| Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches. | Core |
| Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices. | Core |
| Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. | Core |
| Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment. | Core |
| Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment. | Core |
| Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings. | Core |
| Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms. | Core |
| Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions. | Core |
| Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes. | Core |
| Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound. | Core |
| Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans. | Core |
| Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities. | Core |
| Document patient information, such as notes on their progress. | Core |
| Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise. | Core |
| Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment. | Supplemental |
| Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists. | Supplemental |
| Perform therapeutic wound care. | Supplemental |
0.50/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment. | E0 none |
| Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches. | E0 none |
| Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices. | E0 none |
| Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. | E0 none |
| Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings. | E0 none |
| Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions. | E0 none |
| Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise. | E0 none |
| Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform therapeutic wound care. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 114K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 140K
- Change (2025–35)
- +23%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $68,380
- Typical education needed for entry
- Associate's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42902 | 치료사 보조원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3255Physiotherapy Technicians and Assistants
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Physiotherapy technicians and assistants provide physical therapeutic treatments to patients in circumstances where functional movement is threatened by injury, disease or impairment. Therapies are usually provided as per rehabilitative plans established by a physiotherapist or other health professional.
Tasks
- (a) administering manual treatments such as massage therapy or pressure point therapy;
- (b) administering electrical modality treatments, ultrasound and other physical therapies using specialized techniques and equipment;
- (c) instructing, motivating, safeguarding and assisting patients as they practice physical exercises, relaxation techniques and functional activities;
- (d) conferring with physiotherapists or other health care providers to evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment;
- (e) monitoring and recording patients' progress during treatments, including measuring their range-of-joint motion and vital signs;
- (f) fitting patients for orthopaedic braces, prostheses and other physical supportive devices such as crutches, and instructing patients in the use of such devices.
Example occupations
Acupressure therapist · Electrotherapist · Hydrotherapist · Massage therapist · Physical rehabilitation technician · Physiotherapy technician · Shiatsu therapist
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- acupuncturistESCO 2230.1.1This occupation is broader
Acupuncturists make use of thin needles and insert them into acupuncture points in the body in order to restore the imbalances of the human body and overall good health. Acupuncturists focus on energy meridians to treat various conditions.
- chiropractic assistantESCO 3344.1This occupation is broader
Chiropractic assistants perform routine and administrative tasks to support patient care and work under the sole direction and supervision of a Chiropractor or Specialized Chiropractor. They may interview patients, keep records of the case history, assist Chiropractors or Specialized Chiropractors in providing patients examination and perform administrative tasks. Chiropractic assistants work within defined contexts using agreed protocols and procedures.
- massage therapistESCO 3255.3This occupation is broader
Massage therapists provide therapeutic massage treatments to improve the well-being of their clients. They perform a variety of massage types such as shiatsu and swedish massage, according to their client's needs and preferences.
- occupational therapy assistantESCO 2269.5This occupation is broader
Occupational therapy assistants support occupational therapists by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement. They work under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
- physiotherapy assistantESCO 3255.4This occupation is broader
Physiotherapy assistants work under supervision, within defined contexts using agreed treatment protocols and procedures such as collecting client data and maintaining the equipment required in physiotherapy interventions. The overall responsibility is retained by the delegating professional.
- podiatry assistantESCO 2269.7This occupation is broader
Podiatry assistants help the podiatrist by carrying out supportive tasks such as assisting in diagnosing and treating the disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet, advising people on foot care techniques and the importance of foot care for promoting better mobility and general well-being. They also perform small tasks such as cutting toe nails, applying plasters and general clerical duties.
- sport therapistESCO 3423.2.4This occupation is broader
Sport therapists program and supervise rehabilitation exercises for individuals and groups. They work with individuals that have chronic health conditions or are at high risk of developing them. They communicate with medical and healthcare professionals about participants' conditions using correct medical terminology, and with an understanding of the standard treatment options for an individual’s condition. Sport therapists take a holistic approach to the wellness of their clients that includes advising on lifestyle, food or time management. They do not have a medical background and do not require medical qualifications.
- complementary therapistESCO 2230.1Overlapping, not the same
Complementary therapists use a range of complementary and alternative therapies to work simultaneously with the clients` body, mind, and spirit in a holistic approach. They offer practices and services for holistic wellbeing, health maintenance, health education, health promotion and prevention of illness, along with the sustainable treatment of certain illnesses, especially chronic illnesses. Their practices include but are not limited to acupuncture, aromatherapy, banotherapy, homeopathy, and herbal medicine.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| J1404 | Kinésithérapeute | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| J1413 | Physiothérapeute | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3325 | Ayudantes fisioterapeutas | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 81712 | Berufe in der Physiotherapie - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 81713 | Berufe in der Physiotherapie - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 144 | 理学療法士，作業療法士 | Related, not a match |
| 379 | その他の保健医療サービス職業従事者 | Related, not a match |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources