Physiotherapist assistant

What does a Physiotherapy Assistant do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Physiotherapy Assistant works closely with physiotherapists and patients within healthcare. Tasks include assisting physiotherapists during treatments, guiding patients in exercises, and performing simple administrative duties. The role often involves practical support during rehabilitation programs, preparing treatment rooms, and encouraging patients to follow their training routines. The work environment is typically clinical and can include hospitals, health centers, and private clinics. The job requires good physical condition, a service-oriented attitude, and empathy for people of different ages and healthcare needs.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for a Physiotherapy Assistant has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,100 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 29 400 SEK in 2023, and further up to 30 200 SEK in 2024. The total increase during this period is approximately 11.4%, which is slightly higher than the average wage growth for similar professions. This positive trend can be linked to increased demand for healthcare workers, especially in rehabilitation and elderly care, as well as a greater focus on preventive measures in healthcare. Salary differences between genders are relatively small, with women generally earning slightly higher wages than men during this period.

Physiotherapy Assistant Salary – Complete Overview

• Average salary: 30 200 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 26,500 SEK/month (female, public sector, pre-secondary education)
• Highest salary: 41,700 SEK/month (female, municipal sector, postgraduate education)
• Hourly wage: 181 SEK/hour
• Women: 30 400 SEK/month (102% of men's salary)
• Men: 29 800 SEK/month
• Regional differences: Limited statistics, but less variation between regions compared to many other healthcare professions.

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Physiotherapy Assistant, a vocational upper secondary education in healthcare is usually required, often supplemented with courses or internships in rehabilitation. Employers prefer candidates with patient contact experience and an understanding of physiotherapeutic methods. Opportunities to supplement with shorter courses or certifications exist, and internships are common as part of entry into the profession.

• Vocational upper secondary education: Care and Welfare Program, 3 years
• Courses in rehabilitation: Supplementary courses or YH (Higher Vocational Education) courses
• Internship: Usually at least 4–8 weeks during education
• Prerequisites: Approved grades from compulsory school
• Tips: Experience from work in elderly care or healthcare is considered advantageous during hiring

Common Benefits and Compensation

Physiotherapy Assistants are often covered by collective agreements that provide entitlement to holiday pay, overtime pay, pension contributions, and sometimes wellness allowances. Other common benefits include subsidized lunch, work clothing, and opportunities for professional development. Some municipalities also offer free health checks or staff support.

Competition and Challenges

Competition for positions as a Physiotherapy Assistant varies depending on region and employer. Larger cities may have higher competition due to more qualified applicants, while smaller towns often have greater staffing needs. A challenge in the profession is that tasks can be physically demanding, involving many lifts and transfers. Patience and communication skills are also highly valued, especially when working with elderly or disabled individuals. The role may sometimes involve irregular working hours, including evenings or weekends, which should be considered by job seekers.

Tips for Aspiring Physiotherapy Assistants

To succeed as a Physiotherapy Assistant, it’s beneficial to combine a genuine interest in people with practical skills and initiative. Being attentive facilitates communication with patients and colleagues, while accuracy is crucial for following instructions and documenting treatments properly. Flexibility is an important trait, as tasks can vary daily and sometimes require quick adjustments. Actively seeking internships to gain insight into the profession and building experience, as well as continuously updating skills through short courses, are recommended. Patience and stress tolerance are also valuable, especially when working with patients with long-term or complex rehabilitation needs.

Key Facts about Physiotherapy Assistants

• Salary range: 26,500–41,700 SEK/month
• Education level: Vocational upper secondary education
• Work environment: Clinical, often within the public sector
• Job openings in the profession: 375
• Women earn: 102% of men's salaries

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After gaining a few years of experience, Physiotherapy Assistants can take on more qualified tasks, such as supervising new assistants or specializing in rehabilitation for specific patient groups. Many choose to further their education to become a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist through university studies. The future job market outlook is uncertain, as the profession is part of a broad occupational group with no specific statistics for Physiotherapy Assistants, but the overall group currently has 375 job openings and stable demand for healthcare personnel. The Employment Service has not made a specific assessment for the profession, but generally, the need for rehabilitation staff is expected to remain, especially in elderly care and primary healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions about Physiotherapy Assistants

• What is the average salary of a Physiotherapy Assistant?
  - A Physiotherapy Assistant has an average salary of 30 200 SEK per month.
• Are there salary differences between men and women?
  - Yes, women earn on average 30 400 SEK while men earn 29 800 SEK, which means women earn 102% of men's salaries.
• What education is required to become a Physiotherapy Assistant?
  - Vocational upper secondary education in healthcare is most common, often supplemented with internships or courses in rehabilitation.
• What is the job market like for Physiotherapy Assistants?
  - Currently, there are 375 job openings in the profession, and demand remains stable although no exact forecast exists.
• What are the job duties of a Physiotherapy Assistant?
  - Duties include assisting with treatments, guiding patients, and performing simple administrative tasks.
• Are there opportunities for further education?
  - Yes, many choose to further their education to become a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist after a few years in the profession.
• What is the highest and lowest salary for a Physiotherapy Assistant?
  - The lowest salary is 26,500 SEK and the highest is 41,700 SEK, depending on education level, sector, and experience.