Home care physical therapist vs home health physical therapist assistant

The differences between home care physical therapists and home health physical therapist assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a home care physical therapist has an average salary of $71,303, which is higher than the $51,119 average annual salary of a home health physical therapist assistant.

The top three skills for a home care physical therapist include patients, home health and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a home health physical therapist assistant are home health, patient care, and physical therapy.

Home care physical therapist vs home health physical therapist assistant overview

	Home Care Physical Therapist	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Yearly salary	$71,303	$51,119
Hourly rate	$34.28	$24.58
Growth rate	17%	24%
Number of jobs	180,359	136,922
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	41	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a home care physical therapist do?

A Home Care Physical Therapist provides therapy services defined in treatment plans in residential settings. They work with physicians, case managers, and adjustors. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabilities such as heart disease or fractures.

What does a home health physical therapist assistant do?

Home health physical therapist assistants are skilled professionals who are responsible for assisting the physical therapist in performing physical therapy in homecare settings. These assistants are required to follow the treatment plan that is set by the physical therapist while providing aid to patients in active and passive exercises. They must observe and record the response of patients to the treatment as well as changes in their condition. Home health physical therapist assistants must also participate in staff conferences and committees when necessary.

Home care physical therapist vs home health physical therapist assistant salary

Home care physical therapists and home health physical therapist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Home Care Physical Therapist	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Average salary	$71,303	$51,119
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $107,000	Between $35,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	Bridgeport, CT	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Kaiser Permanente	-
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between home care physical therapist and home health physical therapist assistant education

There are a few differences between a home care physical therapist and a home health physical therapist assistant in terms of educational background:

	Home Care Physical Therapist	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Physical Therapy	Physical Therapy
Most common college	Duke University	New York University

Home care physical therapist vs home health physical therapist assistant demographics

Here are the differences between home care physical therapists' and home health physical therapist assistants' demographics:

	Home Care Physical Therapist	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Average age	41	39
Gender ratio	Male, 36.6% Female, 63.4%	Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 14.8% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 7.3% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	12%	7%

Differences between home care physical therapist and home health physical therapist assistant duties and responsibilities

Home care physical therapist example responsibilities.

Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
Complete documentation and billing for Medicare and Medicaid base on federal and state laws.
Deliver home-based physical therapy services to adult patients with general medical and orthopedic conditions.
Show true sympathy and compassion for optimal results.
Administer manual exercises, massage or traction to relieve pain, increase function and prevent deformity.
Practice specialties with certifications in vestibular rehabilitation and fall prevention.

Home health physical therapist assistant example responsibilities.

Manage a diverse caseload including, but not limit to CVA's, cardiac care, Alzheimer's and sub acute orthopedics
Help oversee patient exercises and therapeutic mechanical traction.
Develop a positive relationship with client through constant companionship and therapeutic walking.
Revoke basic physical activity in many depress clients by providing high quality companionship and exercise assistance.
Practice specialized post-orthopedic surgery recovery and rehabilitation.
Provide care to Alzheimer patient, ensuring the proper administration of prescriptions and physician care instructions.

Home care physical therapist vs home health physical therapist assistant skills

Common home care physical therapist skills

Patients, 35%
Home Health, 24%
Rehabilitation, 13%
Restore Function, 5%
Medicare, 4%
Direct Patient Care, 3%

Common home health physical therapist assistant skills

Home Health, 82%
Patient Care, 11%
Physical Therapy, 6%
Physical Therapy Treatment, 1%
Community Resources, 1%
Health Aides, 0%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Home Care Physical Therapist
Home Care Physical Therapist vs Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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