Physical Therapy Technician Jobs in Arkansas

Arkansas PT Tech Job Market

Arkansas offers exceptional opportunities for Physical Therapy Technicians, with salaries -18% vs national vs the national average and access to top rehabilitation facilities.

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Strong Demand

580+ PT Tech positions open annually across Arkansas. Population density (highest in US) drives consistent healthcare demand.

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Premium Pay

$28,950 average salary, -18% vs national vs national. Metro Arkansas pays even higher—up to $37,600 at top facilities.

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Elite Facilities

Home to UAMS Medical Center and other leading healthcare facilities across Arkansas.

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Career Growth

Major employers offer tuition reimbursement for PT Techs pursuing PTA degrees. Clear advancement pathways available.

What Physical Therapy Technicians Do

PT Techs work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists, providing essential support for patient care and clinic operations.

✓ Daily PT Tech Responsibilities

● Patient Exercise Assistance: Guide patients through therapeutic exercises prescribed by the PT, ensuring proper form and safety
● Treatment Preparation: Set up treatment areas, prepare equipment, apply hot/cold packs, and ready modalities like ultrasound
● Patient Transfers: Assist patients with mobility, transfers between surfaces, and safe ambulation with devices
● Equipment Maintenance: Clean, sanitize, and maintain therapy equipment; report any malfunctions
● Documentation Support: Record patient attendance, exercise completion, and observations for PT review
● Patient Transport: Escort patients to and from treatment areas; assist with wheelchairs and walkers

🏥 Work Settings in Arkansas

● Outpatient PT Clinics: Most common setting—Arkansas Children's Hospital alone has 100+ AR locations. Regular hours, diverse patient cases.
● Inpatient Rehabilitation: UAMS Medical Center and hospital rehab units. Complex cases including stroke, TBI, spinal cord injuries.
● Hospital PT Departments: Acute care settings at major systems like Hackensack Meridian and CHI St. Vincent.
● Skilled Nursing Facilities: Post-acute rehabilitation for elderly patients. Consistent schedules, growing demand.
● Sports Medicine: Athletic training facilities, sports PT clinics. Work with athletes at all levels.
● Home Health: Travel to patient homes. Higher pay, mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling.

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PT Tech vs. Other Healthcare Roles

Physical Therapy Technicians focus specifically on PT support tasks. PT Techs do not perform clinical tasks like blood draws, EKGs, medication administration, or wound care—those are performed by nurses, PCTs, or medical assistants. PT Techs work exclusively within the physical therapy department under PT supervision.

Top PT Tech Employers in Arkansas

Arkansas's largest health systems and rehabilitation facilities are actively hiring PT Techs. These employers offer competitive pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

UAMS Medical Center

Academic

Little Rock

State's only academic medical center

501-686-7000 View Jobs →

Baptist Health

Arkansas's Largest

Little Rock

Arkansas' largest health system

501-202-2000 View Jobs →

CHI St. Vincent

Regional Provider

Little Rock

Major Catholic health system

501-552-3000 View Jobs →

Arkansas Children's Hospital

Growing Network

Little Rock

Pediatric specialty, unique PT exposure

501-364-1100 View Jobs →

Mercy Health

Established Provider

Northwest AR

Serving Bentonville/Fayetteville region

479-338-8000 View Jobs →

Baptist Health

Rural Arkansas

Rural areas

Arkansas's largest health system

501-202-2000 View Jobs →

PT Tech Salaries Across Arkansas

Salaries vary across Arkansas regions. Metro Arkansas typically pays highest, while Rural Arkansas offers different cost-of-living dynamics.

Metro Arkansas

Major metro areas

$33K-$36K

Highest wages, urban centers

Suburban Arkansas

Suburban counties

$28K-$33K

Balanced cost/salary

Central Arkansas

Central regions

$26K-$30K

Growing healthcare sector

Rural Arkansas

Rural areas

$24K-$27K

Lower COL, community focus

Pro Tip: While Metro Arkansas pays highest, Rural Arkansas's lower housing costs often result in similar take-home purchasing power. Consider total compensation including benefits, commute time, and quality of life.

How to Land a PT Tech Job in Arkansas

Follow these proven strategies to stand out in Arkansas's competitive PT Tech job market.

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1. Get Certified

Complete PT Tech training and earn your CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification significantly improves your competitiveness, especially at top facilities like UAMS Medical Center.

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2. Target Top Employers

Apply directly to major health systems. UAMS Medical Center, Baptist Health, and CHI St. Vincent have dedicated PT department hiring. Check their career pages regularly.

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3. Network Locally

Attend AR Physical Therapy Association events. Connect with PTs during your externship. Many PT Tech positions are filled through referrals before being posted publicly.

Ready to Start Your PT Tech Career?

Complete EHired's free PT Tech training program and gain the skills Arkansas employers are looking for.

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Make a one-time payment when you're ready to challenge for certification and start working

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Physical Therapy Technicians do on the job in Arkansas?

PT Techs in Arkansas prepare treatment areas and equipment, assist patients with therapeutic exercises under PT supervision, help with patient transfers and mobility, apply hot/cold packs, set up treatment modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, transport patients, maintain equipment, and document patient progress. They work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists.

Which employers hire the most PT Techs in Arkansas?

Major PT Tech employers in Arkansas include UAMS Medical Center (#4 ranked nationally), Baptist Health (AR's largest system), CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Children's Hospital (largest private PT practice in tristate), Mercy Health, and Baptist Health. Hospital systems, outpatient PT clinics, and rehabilitation centers are the primary employers.

How much do PT Techs earn in Arkansas?

Physical Therapy Technicians in Arkansas earn an average of $28,950 per year (-18% vs national). Entry-level positions start around $20,600, experienced PT Techs earn $33,600+, and top earners at leading facilities can reach $37,600+. Metro Arkansas generally pays highest in the state.

What settings do PT Techs work in?

Arkansas PT Techs work in outpatient physical therapy clinics, hospital rehabilitation departments, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine centers, home health agencies, and specialty practices like pediatric or neurological PT. Outpatient clinics are the most common setting, followed by hospital-based positions.

Do I need certification to get a PT Tech job in Arkansas?

Arkansas does not require state licensure for PT Techs—you work under PT supervision. However, employers strongly prefer candidates with formal training and CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification demonstrates competency and significantly improves job prospects, especially at competitive employers like UAMS Medical Center and major health systems.