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The differences between outpatient physical therapist assistants and rehabilitation aides 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 $28,284 average annual salary of a rehabilitation aide.
The top three skills for an outpatient physical therapist assistant include patients, rehabilitation and PTA. The most important skills for a rehabilitation aide are patients, rehabilitation, and CPR.
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Rehabilitation Aide | |
| Yearly salary | $54,009 | $28,284 |
| Hourly rate | $25.97 | $13.60 |
| Growth rate | 24% | 24% |
| Number of jobs | 62,717 | 42,701 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A rehabilitation aide is responsible for assisting patients with injuries, mental disorders, and illnesses in their treatment plans and medications. Rehabilitation aides monitor the patients' progress and update attending physicians regarding their conditions. They also prepare treatment rooms, including the materials and equipment for the medical procedures, and discuss the process with the patients. A rehabilitation aide must be highly organizational, especially in attending to different patients' needs and ensuring the safety and security of all facilities and assets.
Outpatient physical therapist assistants and rehabilitation aides have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Rehabilitation Aide | |
| Average salary | $54,009 | $28,284 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $71,000 | Between $22,000 And $35,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Loveland, CO |
| Highest paying state | - | Colorado |
| Best paying company | - | Lifespan |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an outpatient physical therapist assistant and a rehabilitation aide in terms of educational background:
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Rehabilitation Aide | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Physical Therapy | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between outpatient physical therapist assistants' and rehabilitation aides' demographics:
| Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant | Rehabilitation Aide | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.7% Female, 73.3% | Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8% |
| 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, 6.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |