Physical Therapist projected job growth through 2031: 16.9%
Physical Therapist vs. Physical Therapist 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 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.
