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Physical therapist assistant vs rehabilitation aide

The differences between physical therapist assistants and rehabilitation aides 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 $28,284 average annual salary of a rehabilitation aide.

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

Physical therapist assistant vs rehabilitation aide overview

Physical Therapist AssistantRehabilitation Aide
Yearly salary$53,035$28,284
Hourly rate$25.50$13.60
Growth rate24%24%
Number of jobs80,01842,701
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

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 a rehabilitation aide do?

A rehabilitation aide is responsible for assisting patients with injuries, mental disorders, and illnesses in their treatment plans and medications. Rehabilitation aides monitor the patients' progress and update attending physicians regarding their conditions. They also prepare treatment rooms, including the materials and equipment for the medical procedures, and discuss the process with the patients. A rehabilitation aide must be highly organizational, especially in attending to different patients' needs and ensuring the safety and security of all facilities and assets.

Physical therapist assistant vs rehabilitation aide salary

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

Physical Therapist AssistantRehabilitation Aide
Average salary$53,035$28,284
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $70,000Between $22,000 And $35,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALoveland, CO
Highest paying stateAlaskaColorado
Best paying companyChildren's Hospital ColoradoLifespan
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between physical therapist assistant and rehabilitation aide education

There are a few differences between a physical therapist assistant and a rehabilitation aide in terms of educational background:

Physical Therapist AssistantRehabilitation Aide
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPhysical TherapyKinesiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Physical therapist assistant vs rehabilitation aide demographics

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

Physical Therapist AssistantRehabilitation Aide
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 33.7% Female, 66.3%Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between physical therapist assistant and rehabilitation aide 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.
    • Show more

Rehabilitation aide example responsibilities.

  • Manage inventory of supplies and splints for the department.
  • Manage organization and cleanliness of therapy room and equipment.
  • Help patients who used wheelchairs and walkers.
  • Assist patients with ADL's, collect lab specimens, perform EKG's, occasionally perform duty as a patient sitter.
  • Assist physical therapists and occupational hand therapist in implementing rehabilitation programs for patients in an outpatient orthopedics and hand therapy clinic.
  • Assist OTR/L in patient education and DME distribution at SNF
    • Show more

Physical therapist assistant vs rehabilitation aide skills

Common physical therapist assistant skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • Rehabilitation, 15%
  • Home Health, 11%
  • PTA, 7%
  • Physical Therapy Treatment, 5%
  • Quality Care, 4%
Common rehabilitation aide skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Rehabilitation, 18%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
  • Data Entry, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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