Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapy assistant

The differences between physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy 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 $50,653 average annual salary of an occupational therapy assistant.

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

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapy assistant overview

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Yearly salary	$53,035	$50,653
Hourly rate	$25.50	$24.35
Growth rate	24%	25%
Number of jobs	80,018	39,881
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 67%	Associate Degree, 69%
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 therapy assistant do?

An occupational therapy assistant is primarily responsible for assisting an occupational therapist when handling patients at a clinic or similar setting. Their duties revolve around gathering patient information and medical history, treating patients using the therapist's care plan, monitoring a patient's progress, and maintaining an accurate and extensive record. There are also instances when an assistant must discuss the conditions and extent of treatment to patients and families, as well as monitor supplies and inventory.

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapy assistant salary

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

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Average salary	$53,035	$50,653
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $70,000	Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	Children's Hospital Colorado	PeaceHealth
Best paying industry	Professional	Education

Differences between physical therapist assistant and occupational therapy assistant education

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

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 67%	Associate Degree, 69%
Most common major	Physical Therapy	Occupational Therapy
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapy assistant demographics

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

	Physical Therapist Assistant	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%	Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8%
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 therapy assistant 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 therapy assistant example responsibilities.

Order patient equipment as well as developing and fabricating inexpensive adaptive equipment for patients to use.
Educate patients and family members on the importance of using adaptive equipment and following proper safety precautions.
Provide all occupational therapy services to facility patients, including charting their progress, developing and maintaining treatment plans.
Assist in rebuilding the therapy department in an inner city SNF.
Perform therapy to patients with hip replacements, knee replacements, CVA, and multiple disorders.
Help patients adapt to the use of wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches and prosthetic/orthotic devices.

Physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapy assistant skills

Common physical therapist assistant skills

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

Common occupational therapy assistant skills

Patients, 27%
Rehabilitation, 22%
Home Health, 11%
Patient Care, 10%
Therapy Programs, 4%
Acute Care, 3%

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Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant vs Occupational Therapy Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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