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Physical Therapist vs. Physical Therapist Assistant

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Home » Blog » PT vs. PT Assistant
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Written and reported by:
All Allied Health Schools Staff

Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) perform many of the same basic responsibilities such as assisting patients in stretches and exercises, but some key characteristics set them apart.

PTs are mainly concerned with diagnosing patients and developing a rehabilitation program that is tailored to the patient’s prognosis. PTAs on the other hand have more focus on preparing patients to be diagnosed and assisting in executing the rehabilitation plan.

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The Key Differences

Here’s a breakdown of those and other key differences in these lucrative and rapidly expanding careers in physical therapy:

Job Duties


Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Assistant

  • Diagnose and provide care to individuals suffering from injuries
  • Assist patients in exercises and stretches and instruct on how to use devices and equipment
  • Set up a rehabilitation plan for patients
  • Determine the severity of the patient’s injuries and report it to a physical therapist
  • Teach exercises, stretches, and hands-on therapy to help increase the patient’s ability to move
  • Educate patients on what to do after treatments

Education


Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Assistant

  • Postgraduate professional degrees are required. Many receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), which typically requires 3 years of schooling after a bachelor’s degree. DPT degrees usually require prerequisites such as anatomy, biology, physiology, and chemistry.
  • Most states require an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Programs usually involve academic coursework along with clinical experience.

Licensing and Certification


Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Assistant

  • Every state requires a physical therapist license. To earn a license, the National Physical Therapy Examination or a state-administered exam must be passed. Many states also require continuing education in order to maintain licensure. Some physical therapists choose to become certified in a particular clinical specialty and do so by passing an exam.
  • To obtain a physical therapist assistant license most states require that you graduate from an accredited physical therapy assistant program and have passed the Physical National Physical Therapy Exam. Some states additionally require a state-administered exam.

Median Annual Salaries

Take a look at how PT and PT Assistant salaries compare, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Physical Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $95,620

Projected job growth: 16.9%

10th Percentile: $61,930

25th Percentile: $77,750

75th Percentile: $101,920

90th Percentile: $127,110

Projected job growth: 16.9%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $95,450 $59,810 $130,000
Alaska $99,810 $38,960 $128,450
Arizona $95,590 $72,500 $127,740
Arkansas $93,560 $59,640 $126,600
California $101,180 $50,230 $135,570
Colorado $93,100 $60,960 $125,670
Connecticut $100,070 $76,660 $129,210
Delaware $97,630 $75,710 $129,450
District of Columbia $95,870 $75,710 $127,370
Florida $95,450 $61,750 $120,750
Georgia $95,590 $71,410 $124,450
Hawaii $95,110 $37,190 $127,160
Idaho $80,340 $61,990 $102,060
Illinois $97,690 $65,380 $122,370
Indiana $95,390 $62,830 $120,500
Iowa $78,930 $60,750 $103,170
Kansas $88,570 $61,080 $120,650
Kentucky $81,850 $59,840 $116,790
Louisiana $95,590 $63,630 $129,270
Maine $79,170 $61,990 $102,060
Maryland $94,960 $62,760 $120,260
Massachusetts $96,410 $61,200 $123,620
Michigan $79,870 $56,680 $102,060
Minnesota $80,130 $72,880 $101,510
Mississippi $95,770 $73,870 $129,270
Missouri $79,050 $59,830 $108,340
Montana $78,950 $61,210 $102,060
Nebraska $80,990 $61,740 $120,500
Nevada $99,360 $60,800 $152,420
New Hampshire $83,700 $61,740 $102,370
New Jersey $99,730 $76,980 $128,330
New Mexico $95,590 $75,220 $130,430
New York $95,620 $62,270 $121,140
North Carolina $79,240 $60,900 $106,980
North Dakota $78,270 $61,350 $100,620
Ohio $95,620 $66,460 $124,380
Oklahoma $79,220 $60,720 $126,210
Oregon $95,040 $73,600 $120,750
Pennsylvania $95,890 $68,430 $121,230
Rhode Island $95,930 $61,990 $121,140
South Carolina $79,830 $49,870 $104,390
South Dakota $78,040 $61,570 $100,920
Tennessee $95,370 $61,990 $106,040
Texas $99,040 $62,240 $136,870
Utah $81,190 $55,660 $127,740
Vermont $78,320 $61,250 $102,060
Virginia $94,260 $62,000 $121,780
Washington $99,330 $76,090 $126,940
West Virginia $96,970 $68,930 $121,200
Wisconsin $95,480 $61,790 $120,260
Wyoming $79,630 $75,320 $126,780

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Physical Therapist Assistants

National data

Median Salary: $61,180

Projected job growth: 26.5%

10th Percentile: $37,280

25th Percentile: $48,670

75th Percentile: $75,870

90th Percentile: $80,170

Projected job growth: 26.5%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $61,040 $46,210 $79,690
Alaska $60,360 $29,640 $100,150
Arizona $58,910 $30,740 $79,640
Arkansas $60,960 $28,620 $80,250
California $76,940 $47,410 $97,630
Colorado $61,280 $38,460 $80,260
Connecticut $66,800 $48,420 $82,370
Delaware $71,730 $29,020 $98,260
District of Columbia $48,480 $37,130 $77,240
Florida $62,270 $45,710 $81,850
Georgia $61,040 $29,640 $83,730
Hawaii $61,560 $47,730 $98,070
Idaho $47,780 $22,940 $63,080
Illinois $61,740 $37,020 $78,320
Indiana $60,620 $46,240 $78,500
Iowa $49,240 $46,500 $63,340
Kansas $59,820 $30,810 $76,740
Kentucky $55,580 $22,770 $77,480
Louisiana $59,930 $23,010 $77,760
Maine $51,330 $47,230 $62,860
Maryland $61,160 $27,100 $80,530
Massachusetts $64,980 $58,080 $79,970
Michigan $49,410 $29,550 $63,050
Minnesota $60,360 $46,380 $63,020
Mississippi $57,850 $30,100 $77,870
Missouri $58,050 $41,010 $70,280
Montana $60,110 $47,040 $63,150
Nebraska $50,290 $47,040 $64,700
Nevada $49,250 $23,600 $77,840
New Hampshire $61,560 $44,600 $77,880
New Jersey $73,750 $60,360 $80,360
New Mexico $59,590 $30,130 $78,070
New York $61,290 $45,260 $78,240
North Carolina $60,720 $47,040 $77,930
North Dakota $48,820 $35,870 $63,360
Ohio $61,560 $47,550 $78,570
Oklahoma $59,930 $23,530 $80,130
Oregon $61,460 $32,150 $79,250
Pennsylvania $57,300 $38,560 $73,990
Rhode Island $68,320 $60,360 $80,690
South Carolina $60,960 $38,510 $81,030
South Dakota $47,980 $37,590 $61,200
Tennessee $61,690 $45,980 $80,130
Texas $71,950 $32,660 $94,820
Utah $61,150 $46,210 $81,640
Vermont $61,230 $48,460 $78,840
Virginia $60,730 $24,910 $80,340
Washington $61,120 $36,600 $78,280
West Virginia $49,180 $38,460 $76,070
Wisconsin $59,200 $38,550 $64,780
Wyoming $49,380 $29,770 $78,580

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Expected Job Growth: Much Faster than Average

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the national average job growth for all jobs is 5% through 2031.

Physical Therapist projected job growth through 2031: 16.9%

Physical Therapist Assistant projected job growth through 2031: 26.5%

What’s Next?


  • Physical Therapist: After gaining experience in the field, physical therapists have the option of specializing and becoming certified in an area of interest.
  • Physical Therapist Assistant: Many continue formal education to move into management, education, or administration positions.