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Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapy technician

The differences between physical therapy attendants and physical therapy technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physical therapy attendant has an average salary of $39,324, which is higher than the $35,161 average annual salary of a physical therapy technician.

The top three skills for a physical therapy attendant include therapeutic exercises, therapy equipment and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a physical therapy technician are patients, patient care, and rehabilitation.

Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapy technician overview

Physical Therapy AttendantPhysical Therapy Technician
Yearly salary$39,324$35,161
Hourly rate$18.91$16.90
Growth rate24%24%
Number of jobs104,49266,670
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapy technician salary

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

Physical Therapy AttendantPhysical Therapy Technician
Average salary$39,324$35,161
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $60,000Between $20,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-St. Tammany Health System
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between physical therapy attendant and physical therapy technician education

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

Physical Therapy AttendantPhysical Therapy Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorPhysical TherapyKinesiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Virginia

Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapy technician demographics

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

Physical Therapy AttendantPhysical Therapy Technician
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 7.8% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between physical therapy attendant and physical therapy technician 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 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.
    • Show more

Physical therapy attendant vs physical therapy technician skills

Common physical therapy attendant skills
  • Therapeutic Exercises, 33%
  • Therapy Equipment, 26%
  • Rehabilitation, 22%
  • Direct Patient Care, 11%
  • Patient Treatment, 8%
Common physical therapy technician skills
  • Patients, 43%
  • Patient Care, 13%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Occupational Therapy, 3%
  • Treatment Rooms, 2%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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