Student physical therapist vs physical therapist technician

The differences between student physical therapists and physical therapist technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student physical therapist has an average salary of $73,003, which is higher than the $70,364 average annual salary of a physical therapist technician.

The top three skills for a student physical therapist include patients, occupational therapy and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a physical therapist technician are patients, rehabilitation, and patient care.

Student physical therapist vs physical therapist technician overview

	Student Physical Therapist	Physical Therapist Technician
Yearly salary	$73,003	$70,364
Hourly rate	$35.10	$33.83
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	92,101	74,733
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	-	-

Student physical therapist vs physical therapist technician salary

Student physical therapists and physical therapist technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Student Physical Therapist	Physical Therapist Technician
Average salary	$73,003	$70,364
Salary range	Between $54,000 And $97,000	Between $47,000 And $103,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between student physical therapist and physical therapist technician education

There are a few differences between a student physical therapist and a physical therapist technician in terms of educational background:

	Student Physical Therapist	Physical Therapist Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Kinesiology
Most common college	Duke University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Student physical therapist vs physical therapist technician demographics

Here are the differences between student physical therapists' and physical therapist technicians' demographics:

	Student Physical Therapist	Physical Therapist Technician
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 11.4% White, 73.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between student physical therapist and physical therapist technician duties and responsibilities

Student physical therapist example responsibilities.

Achieve high level of patients satisfaction due to sound clinical management, quality of care and compassion.
Evaluate and treat patients with total hip/total knee surgeries, status post CVA and spinal cord injuries.
Evaluate and treat patients with orthopedic conditions such as low back pain, cervical pain, post operative conditions.
Perform evaluations, provide patient treatment, supervise COTA
Develop ability to perform ICU mobility treatments with acutely ill patients.
Evaluate and treat patients in ICU implicating early mobilization to prevent further decline in cardiopulmonary compromise patients.

Physical therapist technician example responsibilities.

Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
Order supplies for patients needs such as braces, wheelchairs, and walkers.
Administer traction to relieve cervical and lumbar pain, using intermittent and static traction equipment.
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices, such as crutches.
Provide a variety of modalities to therapy patients including: cryotherapy, thermotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stem.
Instruct patients as to proper exercise techniques and monitor during sessions to ensure safety and facilitate efficient rehabilitation.

Student physical therapist vs physical therapist technician skills

Common student physical therapist skills

Patients, 31%
Occupational Therapy, 13%
Rehabilitation, 8%
Patient Care, 6%
Physical Therapy Assistants, 6%
Adaptive, 4%

Common physical therapist technician skills

Patients, 52%
Rehabilitation, 10%
Patient Care, 5%
Electrical Stimulation, 3%
Traction, 3%
Physical Therapy Treatment, 3%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Student Physical Therapist
Student Physical Therapist vs Physical Therapist Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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