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The differences between outpatient physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an outpatient physical therapist assistant has an average salary of $54,009, which is higher than the $50,653 average annual salary of an occupational therapy assistant.
The top three skills for an outpatient physical therapist assistant include patients, rehabilitation and PTA. The most important skills for an occupational therapy assistant are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Occupational Therapy Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $54,009 | $50,653 |
| Hourly rate | $25.97 | $24.35 |
| Growth rate | 24% | 25% |
| Number of jobs | 62,717 | 39,881 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 68% | Associate Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
A PTA (physical therapist assistant) helps a physical therapist carry out a treatment or rehabilitation program. Outpatient PTAs provide patients with physical therapy support services in a private space, clinic, or other facilities. Their responsibilities often involve setting up equipment to be used by patients, documenting patient progress, and cleaning the therapy area between appointments. PTA duties include assisting patients to do exercises, warm-ups, stretching, using equipment, and other movements prescribed by physical therapists during appointments.
An occupational therapy assistant is primarily responsible for assisting an occupational therapist when handling patients at a clinic or similar setting. Their duties revolve around gathering patient information and medical history, treating patients using the therapist's care plan, monitoring a patient's progress, and maintaining an accurate and extensive record. There are also instances when an assistant must discuss the conditions and extent of treatment to patients and families, as well as monitor supplies and inventory.
Outpatient physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Occupational Therapy Assistant | |
| Average salary | $54,009 | $50,653 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $71,000 | Between $37,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | PeaceHealth |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between an outpatient physical therapist assistant and an occupational therapy assistant in terms of educational background:
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Occupational Therapy Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 68% | Associate Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Physical Therapy | Occupational Therapy |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between outpatient physical therapist assistants' and occupational therapy assistants' demographics:
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Occupational Therapy Assistant | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.7% Female, 73.3% | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 9.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 8% |