Physical therapy aide vs physical therapy technician

The differences between physical therapy aides and physical therapy technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physical therapy technician has an average salary of $35,161, 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 a physical therapy technician are patients, patient care, and rehabilitation.

Physical therapy aide vs physical therapy technician overview

	Physical Therapy Aide	Physical Therapy Technician
Yearly salary	$31,160	$35,161
Hourly rate	$14.98	$16.90
Growth rate	24%	24%
Number of jobs	99,485	66,670
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

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 a physical therapy technician do?

A physical therapy technician supports both the physical therapists and their physical therapy assistants in planning and implementing patient care. You are expected to perform varied duties and responsibilities that include responding to patients' requests for assistance, assisting with patient preparation before treatment, and maintaining the equipment used by the physical therapist during treatment sessions. In addition, you will be responsible for maintaining patient satisfaction and patient confidentiality. A physical therapy technician will also perform some administrative tasks such as overseeing inventory and scheduling appointments and treatments.

Physical therapy aide vs physical therapy technician salary

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

	Physical Therapy Aide	Physical Therapy Technician
Average salary	$31,160	$35,161
Salary range	Between $8,000 And $118,000	Between $20,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Aya Healthcare	St. Tammany Health System
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between physical therapy aide and physical therapy technician education

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

	Physical Therapy Aide	Physical Therapy Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Kinesiology
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	University of Virginia

Physical therapy aide vs physical therapy technician demographics

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

	Physical Therapy Aide	Physical Therapy Technician
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4%	Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 7.8% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between physical therapy aide and physical therapy technician 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.

Physical therapy technician example responsibilities.

Manage flexible schedule at various company facilities categorize as ILF, ALF, and SNF.
Assist patients in performing ADL tasks and the use of prescribe adaptive equipment.
Help with ADL's for each patient to make sure they make it to the therapy gym.
Schedule rehab sessions, transport patients to sessions, maintain the cleanliness of treatment area and order supplies.
Administer therapeutic ultrasound and prepare patients for mechanical traction.
Assist patients in performing rehabilitation exercises on the equipment; ensure safety and equipment use guidelines are follow.

Physical therapy aide vs physical therapy technician skills

Common physical therapy aide skills

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

Common physical therapy technician skills

Patients, 43%
Patient Care, 13%
Rehabilitation, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Occupational Therapy, 3%
Treatment Rooms, 2%

Physical Therapy Aide vs. similar jobs

Physical Therapy Aide related careers

Physical Therapy Aide related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Support Industry
Physical Therapy Aide
Physical Therapy Aide vs Physical Therapy Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare support jobs