Post job

Physiotherapist vs registered physical therapist

The differences between physiotherapists and registered physical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a registered physical therapist has an average salary of $72,910, which is higher than the $70,054 average annual salary of a physiotherapist.

The top three skills for a physiotherapist include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a registered physical therapist are patients, respiratory care, and healthcare.

Physiotherapist vs registered physical therapist overview

PhysiotherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Yearly salary$70,054$72,910
Hourly rate$33.68$35.05
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs46,91685,771
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

Physiotherapist vs registered physical therapist salary

Physiotherapists and registered physical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

PhysiotherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Average salary$70,054$72,910
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $103,000Between $49,000 And $107,000
Highest paying City-Richmond, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Functional Pathways
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between physiotherapist and registered physical therapist education

There are a few differences between a physiotherapist and a registered physical therapist in terms of educational background:

PhysiotherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPhysical TherapyPhysical Therapy
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillDuke University

Physiotherapist vs registered physical therapist demographics

Here are the differences between physiotherapists' and registered physical therapists' demographics:

PhysiotherapistRegistered Physical Therapist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 39.9% Female, 60.1%Male, 33.8% Female, 66.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 17.7% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 15.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between physiotherapist and registered physical therapist duties and responsibilities

Physiotherapist example responsibilities.

  • Assess needs for specialize equipment, orthotics, and wheelchairs as well as possible interventions to manage spasticity and joint contractures.
  • Provide first-aid, physical therapy treatment and complete rehabilitation for injure players.
  • Provide support for rehabilitation services department, assisting therapy staff members when necessary.
  • Facilitate psychological adjustment of patients with extensive/grossly deforming injuries through counseling, pleasant mannerisms and use of good humor.
  • Work with patients having different conditions on a daily basis by administering physician prescribe treatments including exercise regimens, muscle stretching/relaxations.
  • Enhance skills of differential diagnosis with an OCS CI.
  • Show more

Registered physical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage rehabilitation department and coordinate the rehabilitation program to the facility.
  • Excel in ability to customize/adapt conventional physical therapy techniques to meet the specific needs of patients.
  • Place orders for appropriate assistive devices, orthotics and prosthetics as per patient need.
  • Administer rehabilitation therapies, which improve patient's mobility and movement.
  • Operate and supervise oscillating traction for patients depending on insurance qualification.
  • Evaluate patients and work closely with other clinicians for determining need for and obtaining specialize equipment and/or orthotic devices.
  • Show more

Physiotherapist vs registered physical therapist skills

Common physiotherapist skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Rehabilitation, 13%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Physical Therapy, 8%
  • Physiotherapy, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 4%
Common registered physical therapist skills
  • Patients, 47%
  • Respiratory Care, 12%
  • Healthcare, 8%
  • PTA, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Home Health, 6%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs