What age do people retire from being a PTA?

I'm looking to go back to school to be a PTA, but I am already in my early 30's so will be in my mid 30's when I graduate. I am very physically fit so I feel like I could safely be a PTA till I get in my mid 50's, but what then??? I'd be way to young to retire but too old to keep doing such a physcially demeanding job.

Tammy in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin said: I'm looking to go back to school to be a PTA, but I am already in my early 30's so will be in my mid 30's when I graduate. I am very physically fit so I feel like I could safely be a PTA till I get in my mid 50's, but what then??? I'd be way to young to retire but too old to keep doing such a physcially demeanding job.

I'm 55 and will start PTA school this Fall. I have done a lot of research because of my age. Schools say they have many successful students in their lare 40's to 50's who continue to work into their 60's. Staying physically and mentally fit, taking care of your back, etc. is important. There are many different settings you can work in with varying degrees of physical demand. Also, there are many part time and contract positions that would allow you to reduce your work as you get older. PTA, COTA, nursing, and other fields will keep you working in some capacity as long as you have the capability and license. Nursing will take it's toll on you mentally and physically, COTA may be less strenuous. I live in Texas, and haven't interviewed any PTA who isn't happy with their work, and all get calls weekly from head hunters offering contracts and permanent positions. I hope to work into my mid to late 60's, then part time or contract to stay active.

thanks so much

Old Man in Wichita Falls, Texas said: I'm 55 and will start PTA school this Fall. I have done a lot of research because of my age. Schools say they have many successful students in their lare 40's to 50's who continue to work into their 60's. Staying physically and mentally fit, taking care of your back, etc. is important. There are many different settings you can work in with varying degrees of physical demand. Also, there are many part time and contract positions that would allow you to reduce your work as you get older. PTA, COTA, nursing, and other fields will keep you working in some capacity as long as you have the capability and license. Nursing will take it's toll on you mentally and physically, COTA may be less strenuous. I live in Texas, and haven't interviewed any PTA who isn't happy with their work, and all get calls weekly from head hunters offering contracts and permanent positions. I hope to work into my mid to late 60's, then part time or contract to stay active.

Thank you for your positive message...I am in my late 40's going into a PTA program (from a teaching background and stay at home mom)...I am feeling being in the PT field encourages me to stay fit and active! I would like to be a good role model for my patients too!

I am doing observation hours, start PTA training in August. I was encouraged to find out about a PTA in this area who retired from a teaching career, and then completed PTA training several years ago. He is a respected PTA who is now 67, and apparently still going strong. (Maybe we still have a few good years left, huh?) -We are training for this profession because we WANT to be here. We could make a good living in another field without all the expense, time, and training effort. Just from my observation time, I enjoy watching people feel better & improve their quality of life. To be a part of that is more satisfaction than I ever saw in 27+ years of corporate B.S.. Good luck to you.

I too am in my early 30's and looking into going back to school to be a PTA. When I was 25, I worked as a receptionist at a PT clinic. On occasion I was given the opportunity to help out with minor things in the clinic. This made me very interested in becoming a PT. That's when some of the therapists told me about PTA training. However, my son was younger then and I knew going back to school was not an option at that time.

So here I am 32, I have a great paying job but it's not something that I want to do for the rest of my life. I love helping people, and I know being a PTA would be very fulfilling. However, I too am thinking I have waited too long.