Physical Therapy Technician Jobs in New Jersey

New Jersey PT Tech Job Market

New Jersey offers exceptional opportunities for Physical Therapy Technicians, with salaries +14% vs national vs the national average and access to top rehabilitation facilities.

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Strong Demand

2,100+ PT Tech positions open annually across New Jersey. Population density (highest in US) drives consistent healthcare demand.

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Premium Pay

$40,200 average salary, +14% vs national vs national. Metro New Jersey pays even higher—up to $52,300 at top facilities.

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Elite Facilities

Home to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and other leading healthcare facilities across New Jersey.

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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 New Jersey

● Outpatient PT Clinics: Most common setting—JAG Physical Therapy alone has 100+ NJ locations. Regular hours, diverse patient cases.
● Inpatient Rehabilitation: Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation 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 RWJBarnabas 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 New Jersey

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

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

#4 Ranked

West Orange + 100 sites

#4 ranked rehab hospital nationally

888-537-7537 View Jobs →

Hackensack Meridian Health

New Jersey's Largest

Statewide

NJ's largest health system, $5,250 tuition reimbursement

844-464-9355 View Jobs →

RWJBarnabas Health

Academic

Statewide

Major academic affiliation with Rutgers

855-453-1950 View Jobs →

JAG Physical Therapy

New Jersey's Largest

Bergen/Passaic/Morris

Largest private PT practice in tristate

201-801-7141 View Jobs →

Atlantic Health System

Top Employer

Morris/Sussex/Warren

Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For

973-971-5247 View Jobs →

Virtua Health

Rural New Jersey

Rural areas

South Jersey's healthcare leader

888-847-8823 View Jobs →

PT Tech Salaries Across New Jersey

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

Metro New Jersey

Major metro areas

$46K-$50K

Highest wages, urban centers

Suburban New Jersey

Suburban counties

$40K-$46K

Balanced cost/salary

Central New Jersey

Central regions

$36K-$42K

Growing healthcare sector

Rural New Jersey

Rural areas

$34K-$38K

Lower COL, community focus

Pro Tip: While Metro New Jersey pays highest, Rural New Jersey'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 New Jersey

Follow these proven strategies to stand out in New Jersey'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 Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.

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2. Target Top Employers

Apply directly to major health systems. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Hackensack Meridian Health, and RWJBarnabas Health have dedicated PT department hiring. Check their career pages regularly.

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3. Network Locally

Attend NJ 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

PT Techs in New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

Major PT Tech employers in New Jersey include Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (#4 ranked nationally), Hackensack Meridian Health (NJ's largest system), RWJBarnabas Health, JAG Physical Therapy (largest private PT practice in tristate), Atlantic Health System, and Virtua Health. Hospital systems, outpatient PT clinics, and rehabilitation centers are the primary employers.

How much do PT Techs earn in New Jersey?

Physical Therapy Technicians in New Jersey earn an average of $40,200 per year (+14% vs national). Entry-level positions start around $28,500, experienced PT Techs earn $46,600+, and top earners at leading facilities can reach $52,300+. Metro New Jersey generally pays highest in the state.

What settings do PT Techs work in?

New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

New Jersey 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 Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and major health systems.