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Physical therapy internship vs clinical therapist

The differences between physical therapy interns and clinical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physical therapy internship has an average salary of $71,624, which is higher than the $57,864 average annual salary of a clinical therapist.

The top three skills for a physical therapy internship include patients, physical therapy assistants and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a clinical therapist are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Physical therapy internship vs clinical therapist overview

Physical Therapy InternshipClinical Therapist
Yearly salary$71,624$57,864
Hourly rate$34.43$27.82
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs127,064136,898
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does a physical therapy internship do?

Physical therapist interns work with patients to determine and improve their function and movement. The interns assist in the rehabilitation process through body system development and storage. They promote the wellbeing and health of the patients through internship programs. Through the physical therapy internship, interns learn about nutrition, treatment, and the general rehabilitation procedure of patients. It also provides support not just for the patients but also with the staff.

What does a clinical therapist do?

A Clinical Therapist works with patients to help identify, examine, and treat mental health and emotional issues or disorders. They counsel individuals or groups regarding psychological or emotional problems, as well as observe clients to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior.

Physical therapy internship vs clinical therapist salary

Physical therapy interns and clinical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Physical Therapy InternshipClinical Therapist
Average salary$71,624$57,864
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $96,000Between $42,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityPasadena, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyOracleCVS Health
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between physical therapy internship and clinical therapist education

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

Physical Therapy InternshipClinical Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorKinesiologySocial Work
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Physical therapy internship vs clinical therapist demographics

Here are the differences between physical therapy interns' and clinical therapists' demographics:

Physical Therapy InternshipClinical Therapist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 42.6% Female, 57.4%Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.7% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 11.2% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between physical therapy internship and clinical therapist duties and responsibilities

Physical therapy internship example responsibilities.

  • Achieve high level of patients satisfaction due to sound clinical management, quality of care and compassion.
  • Monitor vital signs of all patients and devise physical therapy sessions commensurate with patient stability.
  • Evaluate and treat CVA and TBI patients in the inpatient setting.
  • Observe and assist in measuring patients for range of motion limitations following a CVA.
  • Perform evaluations and co-treatments with OT's and delegate treatment plans to PTA's.
  • Assist in putting patients on and off of 2 war traction machines and the decompression machine.
    • Show more

Clinical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Provide direct treatment services such as individual/group therapy and intervene in crisis situations when patients exhibit acute psychiatric symptoms.
  • Direct patients to designate residential or supportive living options, community base placement/ treatment or other resources as necessary.
  • Provide training for federal and public organizations regarding the psychological aspects of veterans having experience combat or military sexual trauma.
  • Work closely with a license orthotist/prosthetist to obtain orthotics for children who require them.

Physical therapy internship vs clinical therapist skills

Common physical therapy internship skills
  • Patients, 40%
  • Physical Therapy Assistants, 12%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Ultrasound, 4%
  • Patient Care, 3%
  • Occupational Therapy, 2%
Common clinical therapist skills
  • Social Work, 26%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Mental Health, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Community Resources, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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