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Outpatient physical therapist vs primary therapist

The differences between outpatient physical therapists and primary therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an outpatient physical therapist has an average salary of $66,359, which is higher than the $59,826 average annual salary of a primary therapist.

The top three skills for an outpatient physical therapist include patients, physical therapy and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a primary therapist are patients, social work, and group therapy sessions.

Outpatient physical therapist vs primary therapist overview

Outpatient Physical TherapistPrimary Therapist
Yearly salary$66,359$59,826
Hourly rate$31.90$28.76
Growth rate17%9%
Number of jobs119,97385,127
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 49%Master's Degree, 49%
Average age4145
Years of experience-4

What does an outpatient physical therapist do?

An outpatient physical therapist specializes in diagnosing and treating a patient's movement dysfunction often caused by an illness or injury. Their responsibilities revolve around studying a patient's medical history, performing initial assessments, crafting a specific care and treatment plan, and discussing the extent of treatments with patients and their families. An outpatient physical therapist may also provide advice to families or guardians on how to assist and care for patients at home, prescribe medication, and perform follow-up consultations.

What does a primary therapist do?

Primary therapists are the main point of contact for patients concerning wellness and overall mental health. Those who choose this career path will be expected to supervise and manage efficient treatment according to plan, and to manage between six and eight patients at a time, keeping in constant communication with these patients and various specialists.

Outpatient physical therapist vs primary therapist salary

Outpatient physical therapists and primary therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Outpatient Physical TherapistPrimary Therapist
Average salary$66,359$59,826
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $108,000Between $43,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAccountable Healthcare Holdings Corp.Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Best paying industryNon ProfitsFinance

Differences between outpatient physical therapist and primary therapist education

There are a few differences between an outpatient physical therapist and a primary therapist in terms of educational background:

Outpatient Physical TherapistPrimary Therapist
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 49%Master's Degree, 49%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeBoston UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Outpatient physical therapist vs primary therapist demographics

Here are the differences between outpatient physical therapists' and primary therapists' demographics:

Outpatient Physical TherapistPrimary Therapist
Average age4145
Gender ratioMale, 24.4% Female, 75.6%Male, 27.1% Female, 72.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 11.3% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%15%

Differences between outpatient physical therapist and primary therapist duties and responsibilities

Outpatient physical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Facilitate development of coping techniques to manage psychiatric symptoms effectively; educate patients on importance of medication management and compliance.
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
  • Perform assessments with clients to determine diagnosis and need of services.
  • Complete intake assessment and formulate diagnosis.
  • Assist veterans with transportation to interviews.
  • Provide active case management service for veterans in residential treatment.
    • Show more

Primary therapist example responsibilities.

  • Case managing, intakes, group and individual session, treatment plans, OASAS standards
  • Provide clinical therapy for severely emotionally disturb adolescents and their families to aid in the rehabilitation process.
  • Perform crisis intervention, including management of difficult or resistant patients, utilizing clinically appropriate accept techniques and methods.
  • Assist in development of extend hour IOP and PHP program.
  • experience, IOP, individual sessions, assessments, case management.
  • Assist in developing and assessing progress on individual rehabilitation plans.
    • Show more

Outpatient physical therapist vs primary therapist skills

Common outpatient physical therapist skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Physical Therapy, 17%
  • Rehabilitation, 11%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Therapy Services, 5%
  • Social Work, 5%
Common primary therapist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Social Work, 14%
  • Group Therapy Sessions, 8%
  • Eating Disorders, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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