Physical therapist technician vs physical therapy aide

The differences between physical therapist technicians and physical therapy aides 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 $31,160 average annual salary of a physical therapy aide.

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

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapy aide overview

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapy Aide
Yearly salary	$70,364	$31,160
Hourly rate	$33.83	$14.98
Growth rate	17%	24%
Number of jobs	74,733	99,485
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	41	39
Years of experience	-	-

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapy aide salary

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapy Aide
Average salary	$70,364	$31,160
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $103,000	Between $8,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Aya Healthcare
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between physical therapist technician and physical therapy aide education

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapy Aide
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Kinesiology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapy aide demographics

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

	Physical Therapist Technician	Physical Therapy Aide
Average age	41	39
Gender ratio	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%	Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	7%

Differences between physical therapist technician and physical therapy aide 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 therapy aide example responsibilities.

Manage flexible schedule at various company facilities categorize as ILF, ALF, and SNF.
Administer ultrasound and electrical stimulation and start patients with their prescribe exercise programs.
Educate patients on supportive devices, such as braces, splints, and slings.
Earn repeated appreciations from supervisor, co-workers, and patients for providing the best quality care with compassion.
Work closely with PT's/PTA's; OT/COTA's and SLP in providing quality hands on care to rehab patients.
Create and maintain patient charts and paperwork including exercise, insurance authorization, insurance, HIPAA, and patient information.

Physical therapist technician vs physical therapy aide skills

Common physical therapist technician skills

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

Common physical therapy aide skills

Patients, 42%
Patient Care, 10%
Rehabilitation, 8%
Customer Service, 5%
Ultrasound, 5%
Direct Supervision, 4%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Physical Therapist Technician
Physical Therapist Technician vs Physical Therapy Aide

Updated January 8, 2025

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