According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for Massage Therapists is $49,260 per year, while Physical Therapist Assistants earn an average of $60,740 annually. This shows that Massage Therapists earn a lower salary than Physical Therapist Assistants.
Nevertheless, it's worth mentioning that factors such as location, experience, and the specific workplace can affect salary. In particular, Massage Therapists in Washington may have higher earnings (averaging $66,040 per annum) compared to those in Alabama ($30,750). As another example, the average pay of Physical Therapist Assistants in California is 56% higher compared to those in Idaho.
Massage Therapists vs Physical Therapist Assistants overview
Massage Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are fundamental to the Health Care Services industry. People are often interested in learning about the differences between these occupations, as well as the average pay for each.
Massage Therapist job description
Massage Therapists perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
Massage Therapist education and experience
The majority of Massage Therapists (73%) have obtained a Post-Secondary Certificate. However, among employees in this occupation, there are also some with an Associate's Degree (12%) and a College Course Certificate (8%). With regard to experience, about a half of Massage Therapist jobs do not require any previous experience. A smaller percentage of jobs (27%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.
Massage Therapist average salary
Based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 81,030 Massage Therapists were employed by the United States in 2021, and their average annual salary was $49,260. The lowest earning 10 percent made $24,450 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $77,600 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the average salary is up by 4%.
Do Massage Therapists make good money?
The average salary of Massage Therapists is 15% lower than the average wage in the United States ($58,260). In contrast, they earn about a third more than the average wage of the Personal and Laundry Services industry ($37,220).
The average salary of Massage Therapists is 15% lower than the average wage in the United States ($58,260).
Massage Therapists job growth
There has been a decrease in the employment of Massage Therapists in the last two years. In 2021, there have been 4,010 less positions than the previous year nationwide, which marks a decrease of 4.7%. Job growth has averaged -7.8% for the last 3 years.
Physical Therapist Assistant job description
Physical Therapist Assistants assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
Physical Therapist Assistant education and experience
Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant typically involves completing an Associate's Degree. However, among employees in this occupation, there are also some with a Bachelor's Degree (15%). With regard to experience, 37% of Physical Therapist Assistant jobs do not require any previous experience. A smaller percentage of jobs (25%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.
Physical Therapist Assistant average salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 93,660 Physical Therapist Assistants employed in the United States in 2021, and they earned a mean annual income of $60,740. The bottom 10 percent earned $37,280 or less, and the top 10 percent earned $80,170 or more. Compared to the previous year, the average salary is up by 2.2%.
Do Physical Therapist Assistants make good money?
The average salary of Physical Therapist Assistants is almost the same as the average wage in the United States ($58,260). Additionally, it is almost the same as the average wage of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).
The average salary of Physical Therapist Assistants is almost the same as the average wage in the United States ($58,260).
FAQ
Do Massage Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants make more?
Physical Therapist Assistants make about a quarter more than Massage Therapists. The average annual salary for Massage Therapists is $49,260, compared to $60,740 for Physical Therapist Assistants.
How long does it take to become a Massage Therapist vs Physical Therapist Assistant?
Massage Therapists typically need a Post-Secondary Certificate. A Post-Secondary Certificate usually takes between 1 year and 2 years to obtain. On the other hand, Physical Therapist Assistants typically need an Associate's Degree. An Associate's Degree usually takes around 2 years to obtain.
Is it harder to become a Massage Therapist vs Physical Therapist Assistant?
It is not harder to become a Massage Therapist versus a Physical Therapist Assistant, as both of them require a similar amount of education.