Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapist assistants

The differences between physical therapist assistants and occupational therapist assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physical therapist assistant has an average salary of $53,035, which is higher than the $51,377 average annual salary of an occupational therapist assistants.

The top three skills for a physical therapist assistant include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for an occupational therapist assistants are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapist assistants overview

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapist Assistants
Yearly salary	$53,035	$51,377
Hourly rate	$25.50	$24.70
Growth rate	24%	25%
Number of jobs	80,018	44,824
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 67%	Associate Degree, 43%
Average age	39	41
Years of experience	-	12

What does a physical therapist assistant do?

A physical therapist assistant's role is to provide treatments that will help a patient improve physical movements while under a physical therapist's supervision. Their responsibilities revolve around regularly observing a patient's reaction and progress to the treatment, operating various machines such as treadmills and trainers, and giving instructions to families on how to take care of the patient while at home. Furthermore, they must coordinate with a physical therapist to meet all of the patient's needs and give the best treatment possible.

What does an occupational therapist assistants do?

Working under the supervision and directives of a therapist, occupational therapist assistants provide treatments to patients with movement difficulties caused by illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities include assisting patients while performing therapeutic activities, monitoring their conditions and progress, discussing care plans to guardians and families, and reporting to the therapists regularly. Furthermore, they are also in charge of performing clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, maintaining patient records and medical histories, answering inquiries, handling calls and correspondence, and managing appointments.

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapist assistants salary

Physical therapist assistants and occupational therapist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapist Assistants
Average salary	$53,035	$51,377
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $70,000	Between $38,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Colorado Springs, CO
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	Children's Hospital Colorado	George C. Grape Community Hospital
Best paying industry	Professional	Health Care

Differences between physical therapist assistant and occupational therapist assistants education

There are a few differences between a physical therapist assistant and an occupational therapist assistants in terms of educational background:

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapist Assistants
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 67%	Associate Degree, 43%
Most common major	Physical Therapy	Occupational Therapy
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapist assistants demographics

Here are the differences between physical therapist assistants' and occupational therapist assistants' demographics:

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapist Assistants
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%	Male, 22.2% Female, 77.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 66.2% 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%

Differences between physical therapist assistant and occupational therapist assistants duties and responsibilities

Physical therapist assistant example responsibilities.

Manage a diverse caseload including, but not limit to CVA's, cardiac care, Alzheimer's and sub acute orthopedics
Provide patients at a SNF with ROM exercises, transfer and gait training as well as balance and bed mobility exercises.
Provide physical therapy treatment as directed by physical therapist as PRN PTA for inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation and community hospital settings.
Care of patients in acute and ICU settings.
Work with adult, geriatrics, burns, ulcers and ICU patients
Prepare iontophoresis patches, give cervical and/or lumbar hot packs to clients.

Occupational therapist assistants example responsibilities.

Achieve advance clinical competency in UE splinting.
Train residents and health care providers in applying orthotics and prosthetics.
Train resident and caregiver in the use or application of orthotics and prosthetics.
Educate patient and family regarding adaptive equipment, exercise techniques, and general safety with mobility.
Provide and educate residents about adaptive equipment and compensatory techniques to improve safety and increase participation and independence.
Assist with dynamic splints and fabricate static and static progressive splints.

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapist assistants skills

Common physical therapist assistant skills

Patients, 26%
Rehabilitation, 15%
Home Health, 11%
PTA, 7%
Physical Therapy Treatment, 5%
Quality Care, 4%

Common occupational therapist assistants skills

Patients, 24%
Rehabilitation, 14%
Home Health, 13%
Patient Care, 9%
Adaptive, 5%
Acute Care, 5%

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Healthcare Support Industry
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant vs Occupational Therapist Assistants

Updated January 8, 2025

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