Post job

Physiatrist vs occupational medicine physician

The differences between physiatrists and occupational medicine physicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a physiatrist and an occupational medicine physician. Additionally, a physiatrist has an average salary of $305,616, which is higher than the $199,058 average annual salary of an occupational medicine physician.

The top three skills for a physiatrist include patients, rehabilitation and physical medicine. The most important skills for an occupational medicine physician are DOT, EMR, and internal medicine.

Physiatrist vs occupational medicine physician overview

PhysiatristOccupational Medicine Physician
Yearly salary$305,616$199,058
Hourly rate$146.93$95.70
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs10,19066,376
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 24%Doctoral Degree, 34%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

What does a physiatrist do?

Physiatrists must have a bachelor's degree in physical sciences or a related field, a M.D. or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and 4 to 7 years' internship and residency training specializing in rehab and physical medicine. This position pays annual salaries of around $58K to $370K. It requires skills in empathy, compassion, emotional resilience, monitoring, and strong initiative to work in challenging environments. Physiatrists diagnose illnesses, design plans for treatment, and prescribe various medicines.

What does an occupational medicine physician do?

An occupational medicine physician is a health care professional who specializes in the management and prevention of occupational illnesses, injuries, and disabilities. As the occupational medicine physician, your duties typically include enhancing the health of workers through clinical care, preventive medicine, and education. In addition, you will assess and treat work-related illnesses, assist employers in identifying areas of risk for workers' health and safety. You will be responsible for evaluating the interaction between health and work.

Physiatrist vs occupational medicine physician salary

Physiatrists and occupational medicine physicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

PhysiatristOccupational Medicine Physician
Average salary$305,616$199,058
Salary rangeBetween $147,000 And $635,000Between $99,000 And $397,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKGreen Bay, WI
Highest paying stateAlaskaOklahoma
Best paying companyParkridge Health SystemDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between physiatrist and occupational medicine physician education

There are a few differences between a physiatrist and an occupational medicine physician in terms of educational background:

PhysiatristOccupational Medicine Physician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 24%Doctoral Degree, 34%
Most common majorMedicineMedicine
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Physiatrist vs occupational medicine physician demographics

Here are the differences between physiatrists' and occupational medicine physicians' demographics:

PhysiatristOccupational Medicine Physician
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 53.7% Female, 46.3%Male, 70.4% Female, 29.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.7% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between physiatrist and occupational medicine physician duties and responsibilities

Physiatrist example responsibilities.

  • Monitor and manage patient medical records in compliance with HIPPA.
  • Provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services under the direct supervision of orthopedic surgeons.
  • Work closely with CNO to improve morale of staff.
  • Evaluate complex test results to ensure patient diagnosis is comprehensive and accurate.
  • Work closely with attorneys and physicians in scheduling patients for refer treatment and for depositions.
  • Work predominantly with patients suffering with arthritis pain, back pain, leg pain, migraines, etc.
  • Show more

Occupational medicine physician example responsibilities.

  • Initiate new treatment protocols for managing complex patients with co-morbid psychiatric and medical illnesses.
  • Perform minor procedures including but not limit to suturing, stapling splinting, incision and drainage etc.
  • Perform physical examinations and provide diagnosis and treatment for all work associate illnesses.
  • Provide overall quality prenatal health care, gynecological services, patient triage, refer patients with complications, provide patient education service
  • Assist with managing chronic illnesses including diabetes, hypertension, and CHF.

Physiatrist vs occupational medicine physician skills

Common physiatrist skills
  • Patients, 35%
  • Rehabilitation, 34%
  • Physical Medicine, 19%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Pain Management, 2%
  • Diagnosis, 2%
Common occupational medicine physician skills
  • DOT, 39%
  • EMR, 26%
  • Internal Medicine, 14%
  • Physical Examinations, 8%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Clinical Care, 2%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs