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The differences between chiropractors and physical therapy aides can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chiropractor has an average salary of $53,608, which is higher than the $31,160 average annual salary of a physical therapy aide.
The top three skills for a chiropractor include patients, medical histories and spine. The most important skills for a physical therapy aide are patients, patient care, and rehabilitation.
| Chiropractor | Physical Therapy Aide | |
| Yearly salary | $53,608 | $31,160 |
| Hourly rate | $25.77 | $14.98 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 24% |
| Number of jobs | 17,584 | 99,485 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who provides care and relief to patients with neuromusculoskeletal problems by re-aligning the spine and adjusting other joints. Your duties typically include working with patients on their lifestyle, guiding them on nutrition, exercise, and sleeping habits, and evaluating patients' condition based on their medical history and symptoms. Additionally, you will be responsible for examining the spine and posture, running tests and taking X-rays, and using massage, heat, and cold therapy to treat patients.
Physical therapy aides are employed under physical therapists' direction. They typically perform non-medical tasks, including helping with patient intake, setting up treatment rooms, and assisting with patient transportation to another health care facility. They are also responsible for documenting the responses and progress of patients and communicating with hospital personnel and physicians' offices. There are several skills and competencies to become a successful physical therapy aide, which include active listening skills, attention to detail, and compassion for patients.
Chiropractors and physical therapy aides have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chiropractor | Physical Therapy Aide | |
| Average salary | $53,608 | $31,160 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $82,000 | Between $8,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | New York |
| Best paying company | Hess | Aya Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a chiropractor and a physical therapy aide in terms of educational background:
| Chiropractor | Physical Therapy Aide | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Chiropractic | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | University of Bridgeport | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between chiropractors' and physical therapy aides' demographics:
| Chiropractor | Physical Therapy Aide | |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5% | Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 80.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |