Physical therapist technician vs pediatric physical therapist

The differences between physical therapist technicians and pediatric physical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pediatric physical therapist has an average salary of $75,699, which is higher than the $70,364 average annual salary of a physical therapist technician.

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

Physical therapist technician vs pediatric physical therapist overview

	Physical Therapist Technician	Pediatric Physical Therapist
Yearly salary	$70,364	$75,699
Hourly rate	$33.83	$36.39
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	74,733	98,862
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	-	-

Physical therapist technician vs pediatric physical therapist salary

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Pediatric Physical Therapist
Average salary	$70,364	$75,699
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $103,000	Between $55,000 And $103,000
Highest paying City	-	Lynnwood, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Tenet Healthcare
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between physical therapist technician and pediatric physical therapist education

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Pediatric Physical Therapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Physical Therapy
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Duke University

Physical therapist technician vs pediatric physical therapist demographics

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Pediatric Physical Therapist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%	Male, 14.4% Female, 85.6%
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, 3.7% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 11.4% White, 73.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physical therapist technician and pediatric 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.

Pediatric physical therapist example responsibilities.

Achieve high level of patients satisfaction due to sound clinical management, quality of care and compassion.
Experience in administering modalities including: NMES, IFC, iontophoresis, ultrasound, and cervical traction.
Evaluate and write letters of necessity to obtain adaptive equipment including: mobility devices, adaptive seating device and positioning devices.
Start OT career at Eisenhower as regular staff OTR; continue to work often as long-term/temporary OTR.
Evaluate patients in medical and surgical ICU and provide ROM and ambulation exercises and prepare them for the discharge.
Educate patients on performing daily living activities and the use of supportive equipment such as crutches, wheelchairs and canes.

Physical therapist technician vs pediatric 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 pediatric physical therapist skills

Patients, 25%
Patient Care, 12%
Rehabilitation, 9%
Autism, 6%
Home Health, 6%
Physical Therapy, 4%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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