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The differences between sports medicine specialists and physical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sports medicine specialist has an average salary of $76,238, which is higher than the $73,070 average annual salary of a physical therapist.
The top three skills for a sports medicine specialist include patients, patient care and role model. The most important skills for a physical therapist are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.
| Sports Medicine Specialist | Physical Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $76,238 | $73,070 |
| Hourly rate | $36.65 | $35.13 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 50,403 | 86,697 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 10 | - |
A sports medicine specialist is a health care expert who specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries of athletes. Their responsibilities typically revolve around providing check-ups and consultations, conducting assessments and examinations, developing care and treatment plans, and providing insights to coaches when developing athletic training programs. They may also assist patients by answering inquiries and sharing care advice. A sports medicine specialist typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat patients with health conditions and limited ability to move and perform daily activities. They help in restoring physical function and mobility and teach how to properly use therapeutic exercise techniques. They also help promote overall wellness and encourage healthier and more active lifestyles. They design a recovery plan unique for every patient, provide treatment and therapy to help improve and manage their condition. They provide care to all kinds of individuals, from newborns to people at the end of their life.
Sports medicine specialists and physical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sports Medicine Specialist | Physical Therapist | |
| Average salary | $76,238 | $73,070 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $199,000 | Between $56,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | Evanston, IL | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | California |
| Best paying company | UnityPoint Health | Parkway |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a sports medicine specialist and a physical therapist in terms of educational background:
| Sports Medicine Specialist | Physical Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Physical Therapy |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between sports medicine specialists' and physical therapists' demographics:
| Sports Medicine Specialist | Physical Therapist | |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5% | Male, 36.3% Female, 63.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 12% |