Physician extender vs athletic trainer

The differences between physician extenders and athletic trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physician extender has an average salary of $244,718, which is higher than the $47,028 average annual salary of an athletic trainer.

The top three skills for a physician extender include patients, patient care and medical care. The most important skills for an athletic trainer are patients, rehabilitation, and CPR.

Physician extender vs athletic trainer overview

	Physician Extender	Athletic Trainer
Yearly salary	$244,718	$47,028
Hourly rate	$117.65	$22.61
Growth rate	28%	17%
Number of jobs	73,599	56,812
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	39	40
Years of experience	-	4

What does a physician extender do?

Physician extenders are not physicians. However, physician extenders perform a vital task in the overall care of patients. They diagnose and treat medical conditions, document and update patient records, consult patients, and perform physical exams. They may serve either as physician assistants or nurse practitioners. In becoming a physician extender, they must be a registered nurse or must have medical experience by working in the medical field even at a lower level. They need to be a regulatory agency certified and licensed instructor in their region or state.

What does an athletic trainer do?

An athletic trainer is a healthcare professional who works with physicians to improve a patient's quality of life. Their profession encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chronic medical conditions involving disabilities, functional limitations, and impairments. As an athletic trainer, you will typically do various tasks, including recognizing and evaluating injuries, providing emergency care or first aid, and developing and implementing rehabilitation programs. You are also responsible for planning and implementing programs to help prevent sports injuries among athletes.

Physician extender vs athletic trainer salary

Physician extenders and athletic trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physician Extender	Athletic Trainer
Average salary	$244,718	$47,028
Salary range	Between $125,000 And $476,000	Between $35,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	Des Moines, IA	Greenwich, CT
Highest paying state	New Mexico	Connecticut
Best paying company	UnitedHealth Group	Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between physician extender and athletic trainer education

There are a few differences between a physician extender and an athletic trainer in terms of educational background:

	Physician Extender	Athletic Trainer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Athletic Training	Athletic Training
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Physician extender vs athletic trainer demographics

Here are the differences between physician extenders' and athletic trainers' demographics:

	Physician Extender	Athletic Trainer
Average age	39	40
Gender ratio	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%	Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 8.3% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	10%

Differences between physician extender and athletic trainer duties and responsibilities

Physician extender example responsibilities.

Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Render emergency medical treatment and transport patients.
Initial reading of EKG's.
Assess patients' symptoms while conducting initial injury evaluation.
Work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic with emphasis on physical medicine, rehabilitation of both chronic and acute orthopedic conditions.
Perform wound care.perform laceration repair including suturing.

Athletic trainer example responsibilities.

Administer rehabilitation procedures and the safety of athletes at practices and games including ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
Evaluate and create a rehabilitation program for ankle sprains, fibula fractures, and shin splints.
Administer multiple therapeutic techniques for student athletes including electrical stimulation and ultrasound
Assist physical therapist in generating rehabilitation protocols for patients, progress exercises, order supplies for clinic and oversee aide scheduling.
Assist with OSHA record keeping.
Maintain cleanliness of gym and stations.

Physician extender vs athletic trainer skills

Common physician extender skills

Patients, 43%
Patient Care, 15%
Medical Care, 5%
Rehabilitation, 4%
Physical Therapy, 3%
Clinical Care, 3%

Common athletic trainer skills

Patients, 20%
Rehabilitation, 19%
CPR, 12%
Patient Care, 8%
Student Athletes, 5%
Athletic Injuries, 4%

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Physician Extender
Physician Extender vs Athletic Trainer

Updated January 8, 2025

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