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Sports physical therapist vs clinical therapist

The differences between sports physical therapists and clinical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sports physical therapist has an average salary of $67,105, which is higher than the $57,864 average annual salary of a clinical therapist.

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

Sports physical therapist vs clinical therapist overview

Sports Physical TherapistClinical Therapist
Yearly salary$67,105$57,864
Hourly rate$32.26$27.82
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs70,367136,898
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

Sports physical therapist vs clinical therapist salary

Sports physical therapists and clinical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sports Physical TherapistClinical Therapist
Average salary$67,105$57,864
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $107,000Between $42,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-CVS Health
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between sports physical therapist and clinical therapist education

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

Sports Physical TherapistClinical Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPhysical TherapySocial Work
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Sports physical therapist vs clinical therapist demographics

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

Sports Physical TherapistClinical Therapist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 42.5% Female, 57.5%Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 12.4% White, 72.3% 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 sports physical therapist and clinical therapist duties and responsibilities

Sports physical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
  • Administer therapeutic hot packs, cold packs and personally handle various electrical stimulation treatments; ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
  • Employ at an out-patient orthopedic clinic with primary goal for patient return to work, ADL, or sports/recreation activities.

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.

Sports physical therapist vs clinical therapist skills

Common sports physical therapist skills
  • Physical Therapy, 43%
  • Patient Care, 27%
  • Rehabilitation, 26%
  • Injury Prevention, 1%
  • PTA, 1%
  • Primary Care, 1%
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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