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Pediatric physical therapist vs registered physical therapist

The differences between pediatric physical therapists and registered physical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pediatric physical therapist has an average salary of $75,699, which is higher than the $72,910 average annual salary of a registered physical therapist.

The top three skills for a pediatric physical therapist include patients, patient care and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a registered physical therapist are patients, respiratory care, and healthcare.

Pediatric physical therapist vs registered physical therapist overview

Pediatric Physical TherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Yearly salary$75,699$72,910
Hourly rate$36.39$35.05
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs98,86285,771
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does a pediatric physical therapist do?

Pediatric physical therapists are specialized in improving the lives as well as the everyday tasks of children who suffer from a vast range of injuries and congenital disorders. Their primary duty is to aid the child and their family to help each child to reach their optimum potential to work independently and to encourage active engagement at home, in school, as well as in the community. Other responsibilities include assessing and providing treatment for impediments in motor skills as well as evaluating the child's strength, posture, flexibility, pace, coordination, balance, and sensory processing. Additionally, they are trained to examine the motor progress using specification testing for age equivalents.

What does a registered physical therapist do?

A registered physical therapist restores a patient's function, alleviates pain, and prevents disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed physical therapy. Their main job is to diagnose and treat patients who have health conditions that limit their ability to move and perform everyday activities. Their responsibilities include consulting with patients to learn and understand their physical conditions and administering massages to help in the healing process.

Pediatric physical therapist vs registered physical therapist salary

Pediatric physical therapists and registered physical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pediatric Physical TherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Average salary$75,699$72,910
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $103,000Between $49,000 And $107,000
Highest paying CityLynnwood, WARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyTenet HealthcareFunctional Pathways
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between pediatric physical therapist and registered physical therapist education

There are a few differences between a pediatric physical therapist and a registered physical therapist in terms of educational background:

Pediatric Physical TherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPhysical TherapyPhysical Therapy
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Pediatric physical therapist vs registered physical therapist demographics

Here are the differences between pediatric physical therapists' and registered physical therapists' demographics:

Pediatric Physical TherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 14.4% Female, 85.6%Male, 33.8% Female, 66.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 11.4% White, 73.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 15.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between pediatric physical therapist and registered physical therapist duties and responsibilities

Pediatric physical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Achieve high level of patients satisfaction due to sound clinical management, quality of care and compassion.
  • Experience in administering modalities including: NMES, IFC, iontophoresis, ultrasound, and cervical traction.
  • Evaluate and write letters of necessity to obtain adaptive equipment including: mobility devices, adaptive seating device and positioning devices.
  • Start OT career at Eisenhower as regular staff OTR; continue to work often as long-term/temporary OTR.
  • Evaluate patients in medical and surgical ICU and provide ROM and ambulation exercises and prepare them for the discharge.
  • Educate patients on performing daily living activities and the use of supportive equipment such as crutches, wheelchairs and canes.
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Registered physical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage rehabilitation department and coordinate the rehabilitation program to the facility.
  • Excel in ability to customize/adapt conventional physical therapy techniques to meet the specific needs of patients.
  • Place orders for appropriate assistive devices, orthotics and prosthetics as per patient need.
  • Administer rehabilitation therapies, which improve patient's mobility and movement.
  • Operate and supervise oscillating traction for patients depending on insurance qualification.
  • Evaluate patients and work closely with other clinicians for determining need for and obtaining specialize equipment and/or orthotic devices.
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Pediatric physical therapist vs registered physical therapist skills

Common pediatric physical therapist skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Patient Care, 12%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Autism, 6%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Physical Therapy, 4%
Common registered physical therapist skills
  • Patients, 47%
  • Respiratory Care, 12%
  • Healthcare, 8%
  • PTA, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Home Health, 6%

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