Physical therapist technician vs outpatient physical therapist

The differences between physical therapist technicians and outpatient physical 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 $66,359 average annual salary of an outpatient physical therapist.

The top three skills for a physical therapist technician include patients, rehabilitation and patient care. The most important skills for an outpatient physical therapist are patients, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

Physical therapist technician vs outpatient physical therapist overview

	Physical Therapist Technician	Outpatient Physical Therapist
Yearly salary	$70,364	$66,359
Hourly rate	$33.83	$31.90
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	74,733	119,973
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 49%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	-	-

Physical therapist technician vs outpatient physical therapist salary

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Outpatient Physical Therapist
Average salary	$70,364	$66,359
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $103,000	Between $40,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Accountable Healthcare Holdings Corp.
Best paying industry	-	Non Profits

Differences between physical therapist technician and outpatient physical therapist education

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Outpatient Physical Therapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Social Work
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Boston University

Physical therapist technician vs outpatient physical therapist demographics

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Outpatient Physical Therapist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%	Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6%
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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 11.3% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physical therapist technician and outpatient physical 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.

Outpatient physical therapist example responsibilities.

Facilitate development of coping techniques to manage psychiatric symptoms effectively; educate patients on importance of medication management and compliance.
Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
Perform assessments with clients to determine diagnosis and need of services.
Complete intake assessment and formulate diagnosis.
Assist veterans with transportation to interviews.
Provide active case management service for veterans in residential treatment.

Physical therapist technician vs outpatient physical therapist skills

Common physical therapist technician skills

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

Common outpatient physical therapist skills

Patients, 23%
Physical Therapy, 17%
Rehabilitation, 11%
Patient Care, 10%
Therapy Services, 5%
Social Work, 5%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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