Post job

Athletic trainer vs physiotherapist

The differences between athletic trainers and physiotherapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physiotherapist has an average salary of $70,054, which is higher than the $47,028 average annual salary of an athletic trainer.

The top three skills for an athletic trainer include patients, rehabilitation and CPR. The most important skills for a physiotherapist are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.

Athletic trainer vs physiotherapist overview

Athletic TrainerPhysiotherapist
Yearly salary$47,028$70,054
Hourly rate$22.61$33.68
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs56,81246,916
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4041
Years of experience4-

Athletic trainer vs physiotherapist salary

Athletic trainers and physiotherapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Athletic TrainerPhysiotherapist
Average salary$47,028$70,054
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $61,000Between $47,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CityGreenwich, CT-
Highest paying stateConnecticut-
Best paying companyEthical Culture Fieldston School-
Best paying industry--

Differences between athletic trainer and physiotherapist education

There are a few differences between an athletic trainer and a physiotherapist in terms of educational background:

Athletic TrainerPhysiotherapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorAthletic TrainingPhysical Therapy
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Athletic trainer vs physiotherapist demographics

Here are the differences between athletic trainers' and physiotherapists' demographics:

Athletic TrainerPhysiotherapist
Average age4041
Gender ratioMale, 53.1% Female, 46.9%Male, 39.9% Female, 60.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 8.3% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 17.7% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%12%

Differences between athletic trainer and physiotherapist duties and responsibilities

Athletic trainer example responsibilities.

  • Administer rehabilitation procedures and the safety of athletes at practices and games including ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
  • Evaluate and create a rehabilitation program for ankle sprains, fibula fractures, and shin splints.
  • Administer multiple therapeutic techniques for student athletes including electrical stimulation and ultrasound
  • Assist physical therapist in generating rehabilitation protocols for patients, progress exercises, order supplies for clinic and oversee aide scheduling.
  • Assist with OSHA record keeping.
  • Maintain cleanliness of gym and stations.
  • Show more

Physiotherapist example responsibilities.

  • Assess needs for specialize equipment, orthotics, and wheelchairs as well as possible interventions to manage spasticity and joint contractures.
  • Provide first-aid, physical therapy treatment and complete rehabilitation for injure players.
  • Provide support for rehabilitation services department, assisting therapy staff members when necessary.
  • Facilitate psychological adjustment of patients with extensive/grossly deforming injuries through counseling, pleasant mannerisms and use of good humor.
  • Work with patients having different conditions on a daily basis by administering physician prescribe treatments including exercise regimens, muscle stretching/relaxations.
  • Enhance skills of differential diagnosis with an OCS CI.
  • Show more

Athletic trainer vs physiotherapist skills

Common athletic trainer skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Rehabilitation, 19%
  • CPR, 12%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Student Athletes, 5%
  • Athletic Injuries, 4%
Common physiotherapist skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Rehabilitation, 13%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Physical Therapy, 8%
  • Physiotherapy, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs