Physical Therapy Technician Jobs in Colorado

Colorado PT Tech Job Market

Colorado offers exceptional opportunities for Physical Therapy Technicians, with salaries +6% vs national vs the national average and access to top rehabilitation facilities.

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Strong Demand

1,350+ PT Tech positions open annually across Colorado. Population density (highest in US) drives consistent healthcare demand.

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Premium Pay

$37,450 average salary, +6% vs national vs national. Metro Colorado pays even higher—up to $48,700 at top facilities.

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Elite Facilities

Home to UCHealth and other leading healthcare facilities across Colorado.

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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 Colorado

● Outpatient PT Clinics: Most common setting—Children's Hospital Colorado alone has 100+ CO locations. Regular hours, diverse patient cases.
● Inpatient Rehabilitation: UCHealth 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 Centura Health.
● 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 Colorado

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

UCHealth

Colorado's Largest

Aurora/Denver

State's largest health system

720-848-0000 View Jobs →

SCL Health

Healthcare Leader

Denver Metro

Major Catholic system (now Intermountain)

303-813-5190 View Jobs →

Centura Health

Regional Provider

Denver Metro

Adventist/Catholic partnership

303-804-8000 View Jobs →

Children's Hospital Colorado

Growing Network

Aurora

Top pediatric hospital

720-777-1234 View Jobs →

Howard Head Sports Medicine

Established Provider

Vail

Elite ski/sports medicine

970-476-1225 View Jobs →

UCHealth

Rural Colorado

Rural areas

Colorado's largest health system

720-848-0000 View Jobs →

PT Tech Salaries Across Colorado

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

Metro Colorado

Major metro areas

$43K-$46K

Highest wages, urban centers

Suburban Colorado

Suburban counties

$37K-$43K

Balanced cost/salary

Central Colorado

Central regions

$33K-$39K

Growing healthcare sector

Rural Colorado

Rural areas

$31K-$35K

Lower COL, community focus

Pro Tip: While Metro Colorado pays highest, Rural Colorado'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 Colorado

Follow these proven strategies to stand out in Colorado'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 UCHealth.

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2. Target Top Employers

Apply directly to major health systems. UCHealth, SCL Health, and Centura Health have dedicated PT department hiring. Check their career pages regularly.

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3. Network Locally

Attend CO 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 Colorado employers are looking for.

Start Free Training Today

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 Colorado?

PT Techs in Colorado 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 Colorado?

Major PT Tech employers in Colorado include UCHealth (#4 ranked nationally), SCL Health (CO's largest system), Centura Health, Children's Hospital Colorado (largest private PT practice in tristate), Howard Head Sports Medicine, and UCHealth. Hospital systems, outpatient PT clinics, and rehabilitation centers are the primary employers.

How much do PT Techs earn in Colorado?

Physical Therapy Technicians in Colorado earn an average of $37,450 per year (+6% vs national). Entry-level positions start around $26,600, experienced PT Techs earn $43,400+, and top earners at leading facilities can reach $48,700+. Metro Colorado generally pays highest in the state.

What settings do PT Techs work in?

Colorado 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 Colorado?

Colorado 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 UCHealth and major health systems.