Physical therapist technician vs physical therapist assistant

The differences between physical therapist technicians and physical therapist assistants 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 $53,035 average annual salary of a physical therapist assistant.

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

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapist assistant overview

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapist Assistant
Yearly salary	$70,364	$53,035
Hourly rate	$33.83	$25.50
Growth rate	17%	24%
Number of jobs	74,733	80,018
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Associate Degree, 67%
Average age	41	39
Years of experience	-	-

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapist assistant salary

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapist Assistant
Average salary	$70,364	$53,035
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $103,000	Between $40,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Children's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between physical therapist technician and physical therapist assistant education

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapist Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Associate Degree, 67%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Physical Therapy
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Northwestern University

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapist assistant demographics

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapist Assistant
Average age	41	39
Gender ratio	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	7%

Differences between physical therapist technician and physical therapist assistant 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.

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.

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapist assistant skills

Common physical therapist technician skills

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

Common physical therapist assistant skills

Patients, 26%
Rehabilitation, 15%
Home Health, 11%
PTA, 7%
Physical Therapy Treatment, 5%
Quality Care, 4%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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