Occupational vs Physical Therapy | All Allied Health Schools

physical therapist helps senior man with walking

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All Allied Health Schools Staff

Contributing writer

Occupational therapist vs. physical therapist. Which career is right for you? Both do vital hands-on rehabilitative work to help patients with injuries or disabilities that limit how they’re able to move and function in daily life.

PTs work primarily with people recovering from injuries. The goal is to get patients back in motion with exercises, massage and other techniques, and therapy usually happens in a PT’s office. Physical therapy often focuses on preventing injuries, and it can help people avoid surgery or a long-term reliance on medications.

OTs help their patients perform day-to-day tasks, whether they’re recovering from injuries or have developmental or cognitive disabilities affecting their motor skills, emotions or behavior. Some occupational therapy might happen in a hospital or OT’s office, but a key component occurs in a patient’s home or work environment. There’s a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of helping people do the things they want and need to do so they can live life to the fullest.

The Key Differences

Here’s a comparison between occupational therapist vs. physical therapist professions:

Job Duties

Physical Therapists

Diagnose physical problems restricting movement because of an illness or injury
Use exercises and other techniques to ease pain and boost mobility and muscle strength
Develop fitness and wellness programs aimed at preventing injuries and encouraging a more active lifestyle

Occupational Therapists

Support patients with memory loss or other cognitive issues
Make recommendations about adaptive equipment
Advise architects and contractors about patients’ accessibility needs
Help patients with daily living skills and self-care tasks (i.e., “occupations”) such as getting dressed

Education

Physical Therapists

Most practicing physical therapists hold a doctorate, which usually takes three years to complete. Master’s degrees take two years and both require an undergraduate degree.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists need at least a master’s degree to practice (two years). A doctoral degree takes between two and three years.

Licensing and Certification

Physical Therapists

Physical therapists must be licensed. To sit for the National Physical Therapist Examination, you have to be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy school.

Occupational Therapists

Licensing laws vary by state but common requirements include graduating from an accredited occupational therapy school, meeting fieldwork requirements, and passing a national certification exam.

Median Annual Salaries

Your education, years on the job, and location, can play a factor in how much you earn. Compare salaries for PTs and OTs below.

Median Annual Salaries Cited by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2020

Physical Therapists

$91,010

Occupational Therapists

$86,280

Next Steps

Physical Therapists

Seek certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties after meeting clinical practice requirements by working with patients in a specialty area, such as:

Geriatrics
Neurology
Orthopedics
Pediatrics
Sports
Women’s health

Occupational Therapists

OTs can seek board certification in gerontology, mental health, pediatrics, or physical rehabilitation after meeting clinical practice requirements; or specialty certification in:

Driving
Community mobility
Environment modification
Low vision
Feeding, eating, swallowing
School systems

In some cases, patients start out with a physical therapist then move on to an occupational therapist. One example: Someone recovering from a stroke might work with a physical therapist to build back muscle strength. Later on, that person would see an occupational therapist to work on buttoning a shirt, using the restroom or taking a shower.

If you’re interested in either career, there are entry-level educational and career options. Find out more about what it takes to become a physical therapy assistant or an occupational therapy assistant.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; American Occupational Therapy Association; American Physical Therapy Association.

What’s the Difference Between an Occupational Therapist & Physical Therapist?

The Key Differences

Job Duties

Education

Licensing and Certification

Median Annual Salaries

Median Annual Salaries Cited by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2020

Next Steps