Physical therapy aide vs occupational therapy assistant

The differences between physical therapy aides and occupational therapy assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an occupational therapy assistant has an average salary of $50,653, which is higher than the $31,160 average annual salary of a physical therapy aide.

The top three skills for a physical therapy aide include patients, patient care and rehabilitation. The most important skills for an occupational therapy assistant are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.

Physical therapy aide vs occupational therapy assistant overview

	Physical Therapy Aide	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Yearly salary	$31,160	$50,653
Hourly rate	$14.98	$24.35
Growth rate	24%	25%
Number of jobs	99,485	39,881
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Associate Degree, 69%
Average age	39	41
Years of experience	-	12

What does a physical therapy aide do?

Physical therapy aides are employed under physical therapists' direction. They typically perform non-medical tasks, including helping with patient intake, setting up treatment rooms, and assisting with patient transportation to another health care facility. They are also responsible for documenting the responses and progress of patients and communicating with hospital personnel and physicians' offices. There are several skills and competencies to become a successful physical therapy aide, which include active listening skills, attention to detail, and compassion for patients.

What does an occupational therapy assistant do?

An occupational therapy assistant is primarily responsible for assisting an occupational therapist when handling patients at a clinic or similar setting. Their duties revolve around gathering patient information and medical history, treating patients using the therapist's care plan, monitoring a patient's progress, and maintaining an accurate and extensive record. There are also instances when an assistant must discuss the conditions and extent of treatment to patients and families, as well as monitor supplies and inventory.

Physical therapy aide vs occupational therapy assistant salary

Physical therapy aides and occupational therapy assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physical Therapy Aide	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Average salary	$31,160	$50,653
Salary range	Between $8,000 And $118,000	Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	Aya Healthcare	PeaceHealth
Best paying industry	Health Care	Education

Differences between physical therapy aide and occupational therapy assistant education

There are a few differences between a physical therapy aide and an occupational therapy assistant in terms of educational background:

	Physical Therapy Aide	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Associate Degree, 69%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Occupational Therapy
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	Northwestern University

Physical therapy aide vs occupational therapy assistant demographics

Here are the differences between physical therapy aides' and occupational therapy assistants' demographics:

	Physical Therapy Aide	Occupational Therapy Assistant
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4%	Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	8%

Differences between physical therapy aide and occupational therapy assistant duties and responsibilities

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.

Occupational therapy assistant example responsibilities.

Order patient equipment as well as developing and fabricating inexpensive adaptive equipment for patients to use.
Educate patients and family members on the importance of using adaptive equipment and following proper safety precautions.
Provide all occupational therapy services to facility patients, including charting their progress, developing and maintaining treatment plans.
Assist in rebuilding the therapy department in an inner city SNF.
Perform therapy to patients with hip replacements, knee replacements, CVA, and multiple disorders.
Help patients adapt to the use of wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches and prosthetic/orthotic devices.

Physical therapy aide vs occupational therapy assistant skills

Common physical therapy aide skills

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

Common occupational therapy assistant skills

Patients, 27%
Rehabilitation, 22%
Home Health, 11%
Patient Care, 10%
Therapy Programs, 4%
Acute Care, 3%

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Healthcare Support Industry
Physical Therapy Aide
Physical Therapy Aide vs Occupational Therapy Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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