Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapist assistant

The differences between physical therapy attendants and physical therapist assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physical therapist assistant has an average salary of $53,035, which is higher than the $39,324 average annual salary of a physical therapy attendant.

The top three skills for a physical therapy attendant include therapeutic exercises, therapy equipment and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a physical therapist assistant are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.

Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapist assistant overview

	Physical Therapy Attendant	Physical Therapist Assistant
Yearly salary	$39,324	$53,035
Hourly rate	$18.91	$25.50
Growth rate	24%	24%
Number of jobs	104,492	80,018
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 67%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapist assistant salary

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

	Physical Therapy Attendant	Physical Therapist Assistant
Average salary	$39,324	$53,035
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $60,000	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 therapy attendant and physical therapist assistant education

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

	Physical Therapy Attendant	Physical Therapist Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 67%
Most common major	Physical Therapy	Physical Therapy
Most common college	Duke University	Northwestern University

Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapist assistant demographics

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

	Physical Therapy Attendant	Physical Therapist Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2%	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 68.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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	7%	7%

Differences between physical therapy attendant and physical therapist assistant duties and responsibilities

Physical therapy attendant example responsibilities.

Manage flexible schedule at various company facilities categorize as ILF, ALF, and SNF.
Followed/Implement physical and occupational rehabilitation plans.
Followed/Implement physical and occupational rehabilitation plans.

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 therapy attendant vs physical therapist assistant skills

Common physical therapy attendant skills

Therapeutic Exercises, 33%
Therapy Equipment, 26%
Rehabilitation, 22%
Direct Patient Care, 11%
Patient Treatment, 8%

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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Physical Therapy Attendant
Physical Therapy Attendant vs Physical Therapist Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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