Physical therapist technician vs clinical therapist

The differences between physical therapist technicians and clinical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physical therapist technician has an average salary of $70,364, which is higher than the $57,864 average annual salary of a clinical therapist.

The top three skills for a physical therapist technician include patients, rehabilitation and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical therapist are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Physical therapist technician vs clinical therapist overview

	Physical Therapist Technician	Clinical Therapist
Yearly salary	$70,364	$57,864
Hourly rate	$33.83	$27.82
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	74,733	136,898
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 51%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	-	-

Physical therapist technician vs clinical therapist salary

Physical therapist technicians and clinical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physical Therapist Technician	Clinical Therapist
Average salary	$70,364	$57,864
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $103,000	Between $42,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	-	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	CVS Health
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between physical therapist technician and clinical therapist education

There are a few differences between a physical therapist technician and a clinical therapist in terms of educational background:

	Physical Therapist Technician	Clinical Therapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Social Work
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	California State University - Long Beach

Physical therapist technician vs clinical therapist demographics

Here are the differences between physical therapist technicians' and clinical therapists' demographics:

	Physical Therapist Technician	Clinical Therapist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%	Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 11.4% White, 73.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 11.2% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physical therapist technician and clinical therapist duties and responsibilities

Physical therapist technician example responsibilities.

Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
Order supplies for patients needs such as braces, wheelchairs, and walkers.
Administer traction to relieve cervical and lumbar pain, using intermittent and static traction equipment.
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices, such as crutches.
Provide a variety of modalities to therapy patients including: cryotherapy, thermotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stem.
Instruct patients as to proper exercise techniques and monitor during sessions to ensure safety and facilitate efficient rehabilitation.

Clinical therapist example responsibilities.

Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
Provide direct treatment services such as individual/group therapy and intervene in crisis situations when patients exhibit acute psychiatric symptoms.
Direct patients to designate residential or supportive living options, community base placement/ treatment or other resources as necessary.
Provide training for federal and public organizations regarding the psychological aspects of veterans having experience combat or military sexual trauma.
Work closely with a license orthotist/prosthetist to obtain orthotics for children who require them.

Physical therapist technician vs clinical therapist skills

Common physical therapist technician skills

Patients, 52%
Rehabilitation, 10%
Patient Care, 5%
Electrical Stimulation, 3%
Traction, 3%
Physical Therapy Treatment, 3%

Common clinical therapist skills

Social Work, 26%
Patients, 12%
Crisis Intervention, 8%
Mental Health, 4%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Community Resources, 3%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Physical Therapist Technician
Physical Therapist Technician vs Clinical Therapist

Updated January 8, 2025

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