Physical therapist technician vs out-patient therapist

The differences between physical therapist technicians and out-patient 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 $56,277 average annual salary of an out-patient therapist.

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

Physical therapist technician vs out-patient therapist overview

	Physical Therapist Technician	Out-Patient Therapist
Yearly salary	$70,364	$56,277
Hourly rate	$33.83	$27.06
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	74,733	116,914
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 47%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	-	-

Physical therapist technician vs out-patient therapist salary

Physical therapist technicians and out-patient therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physical Therapist Technician	Out-Patient Therapist
Average salary	$70,364	$56,277
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $103,000	Between $40,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between physical therapist technician and out-patient therapist education

There are a few differences between a physical therapist technician and an out-patient therapist in terms of educational background:

	Physical Therapist Technician	Out-Patient Therapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 47%
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 out-patient therapist demographics

Here are the differences between physical therapist technicians' and out-patient therapists' demographics:

	Physical Therapist Technician	Out-Patient Therapist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%	Male, 26.9% Female, 73.1%
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, 11.3% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physical therapist technician and out-patient 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.

Out-patient therapist example responsibilities.

Create and lead PTSD group for women, depression and stress management groups for men and women.
Complete prior authorizations for Medicaid, and continuous reviews.
Set up Medicaid transportation for both the Charlotte and Gastonia offices.
Maintain and utilize community wide resources to facilitate and support increase self-sufficiency and long term stabilization of patients receiving services.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals to provide outpatient services to those seeking rehabilitation in an ambulatory care center.
Work closely with a license orthotist/prosthetist to obtain orthotics for children who require them.

Physical therapist technician vs out-patient therapist skills

Common physical therapist technician skills

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

Common out-patient therapist skills

Social Work, 25%
Crisis Intervention, 12%
Group Therapy, 8%
Mental Health, 7%
Patients, 7%
Adolescents, 6%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Physical Therapist Technician
Physical Therapist Technician vs Out-Patient Therapist

Updated January 8, 2025

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