Prevailing Wage for Physical Therapist Assistants
Prevailing wage requirements for Physical Therapist Assistants (SOC 31-2021) apply to every H-1B, E-3, and green card sponsorship filing. DOL sets four experience-based levels for this occupation, so a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA) and a Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant filing at the same level in different cities can face very different wage floors.
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Entry-level PTAs with limited clinical experience, typically recent graduates of an accredited PTA program. Work is closely supervised, tasks are routine, and independent clinical judgment is minimal. Employers filing for new graduates or candidates requiring direct therapist oversight generally use Level 1.
The most common filing level for Physical Therapist Assistants. Candidates have moderate clinical experience, carry a standard patient caseload with general supervision, and apply established treatment protocols with limited need for direct oversight on routine cases.
Experienced PTAs who handle complex patient presentations, may informally guide newer staff, and exercise expanded clinical judgment within their state-licensed scope. Employers in specialty outpatient or acute-care settings often file at this level for senior clinicians.
Fully competent PTAs with broad clinical expertise, lead-level responsibilities, or specialized credentials. May coordinate scheduling, mentor staff, or manage a specialty caseload. This level is less common and typically reflects a supervisory or senior lead role.
Prevailing Wage for Physical Therapist Assistants by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Physical Therapist Assistants and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your state license affects your level
Some states grant Licensed Physical Therapist Assistants expanded scope, such as independent plan modification. Employers in those states sometimes file at Level 3 rather than Level 2, which raises the prevailing wage floor and affects offer negotiation.
Watch for agency versus direct-hire filings
Outpatient staffing agencies and home health companies frequently sponsor PTAs but may file at Level 1 to minimize wage obligations. Direct-hire hospital systems and large rehabilitation networks tend to file at Level 2 or above, reflecting a higher wage floor.
Flag title mismatches on your LCA
Job postings using titles like Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA) or Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant are sometimes coded to a different SOC by employers, which can shift the prevailing wage benchmark. Confirm your offer letter and LCA both cite SOC 31-2021.
Search sponsored PTA employers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Physical Therapist Assistants and filters listings by visa type and location, making it easier to target companies with an established PTA sponsorship track record before you apply.
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Find Jobs for Physical Therapist AssistantsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 31-2021.00 alongside Physical Therapist Assistants, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA) Prevailing Wage
Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA) Prevailing Wage
Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA) positions fall under SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant Prevailing Wage
Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant Prevailing Wage
Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant Prevailing Wage
Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA) Prevailing Wage
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA) Prevailing Wage
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA) positions fall under SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant Prevailing Wage
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant Prevailing Wage
Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant Prevailing Wage
Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA) Prevailing Wage
Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA) Prevailing Wage
Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA) positions fall under SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Prevailing Wage
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Prevailing Wage
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Prevailing Wage
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Physical Therapist Assistants?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. For each area, DOL calculates four wage levels tied to experience and complexity. Employers must pay at least the level that matches the sponsored position before OFLC will certify the Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify which applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry-level PTAs under close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified candidates managing a standard caseload independently. Level 3 applies to experienced clinicians with complex assignments or informal mentoring duties. Level 4 is reserved for fully competent senior or lead roles. Compare the job duties in your offer letter against these descriptions, and check whether your employer's LCA wage matches the correct level.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same PTA role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates prevailing wages from regional OES surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the figures. A metro with high employer density and a higher cost of living, such as the San Francisco Bay Area, produces a much higher wage floor than a rural or lower-cost market. The worksite address listed on the LCA determines which area wage applies, regardless of where the employer is headquartered.
What happens if a job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored PTA position?
OFLC will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS cannot approve the H-1B or other work visa petition. The employer must either increase the offered salary to meet the floor or reclassify the position at the correct level before refiling.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 31-2021 wages by metropolitan area. Enter the worksite city or county to see the four wage levels that apply to that location. Cross-reference with recent LCA disclosure data from OFLC to confirm what wages employers have actually certified for Physical Therapist Assistants in that market. Migrate Mate also lets you filter PTA job listings by location and visa type to see which employers are actively sponsoring the role.
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