Athletic Trainers vs Physical Therapists salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for Athletic Trainers is $54,650, while the average annual salary for Physical Therapists is $92,920. This means that Physical Therapists earn a significantly higher salary than Athletic Trainers.

However, it's important to mention that the amount of pay an employee receives can be influenced by factors like location, experience, and the specific setting in which they work. For example, Athletic Trainers working in Washington DC (with a wage of $67,760 on average) may have higher salaries than those in West Virginia ($43,950). To give another example, the average salary of Physical Therapists in Nevada is 28% higher compared to those in North Dakota.

Athletic Trainers vs Physical Therapists overview

Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapists are crucial to the Health Care Services industry. People are often interested in learning about the distinctions between these job titles, including the average earnings for each of them.

Athletic Trainer job description

Athletic Trainers evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.

Athletic Trainer education and experience

Most Athletic Trainers (54%) have a Master's Degree. But additionally, among employees with this job title, there are also some with a Bachelor's Degree (37%) and a High School Diploma (8%). With regard to experience, 43% of Athletic Trainer occupations require a 2 to 4 years of previous work-related experience. A smaller portion of roles (40%) require a previous experience of 1 to 2 years.

Athletic Trainer average salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States had a workforce of 26,070 Athletic Trainers in 2021 and they earned an average annual income of $54,650. The lowest earning 10 percent made $36,960 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $76,180 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the mean salary has increased by 4.6%.

Do Athletic Trainers make good money?

Athletic Trainers are not typically highly paid, since their mean salary is 6% below the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Furthermore, they make 11% less than the mean salary of the Educational Services industry ($61,620).

Athletic Trainers are not typically highly paid, since their mean salary is 6% below the average pay in the United States ($58,260).

Athletic Trainers job growth

The demand for Athletic Trainers in the workforce has decreased in the last two years. In 2021, there have been 1,360 less job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows a decline of 5%. The average job growth rate for the past 3 years has been -0.9%.

Physical Therapist job description

Physical Therapists assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

Physical Therapist education and experience

About a half of Physical Therapists have completed a Doctoral Degree, 38% have a Master's Degree, and 8% hold a Bachelor's Degree. Regarding experience, about a third of Physical Therapist jobs require no previous experience. A smaller percentage of jobs (23%) require a previous experience of 1 to 2 years.

Physical Therapist average salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 225,350 Physical Therapists employed in the United States in 2021, and they earned a mean annual income of $92,920. The bottom 10 percent earned $61,930 or less, and the top 10 percent earned $127,110 or more. Compared to the previous year, the average salary has increased by 1.4%.

Do Physical Therapists make good money?

Physical Therapists usually receive good salaries, as their average salary is 59% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260). Additionally, they earn about a third more than the average wage of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).

Physical Therapists usually receive good salaries, as their average salary is 59% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260).

Physical Therapists job growth

In 2021, there have been 4,480 more Physical Therapist positions than the previous year nationwide, which marks a rise of 2%. Job growth has averaged -0.4% for the last 3 years.

FAQ

Do Athletic Trainers or Physical Therapists make more?

Physical Therapists make 70% more than Athletic Trainers. The average annual salary for Athletic Trainers is $54,650, while Physical Therapists earn $92,920 per year.

How long does it take to become an Athletic Trainer vs Physical Therapist?

Athletic Trainers generally need a Master's Degree. A Master's Degree by itself most often takes between 2 years and 3 years to complete. And, given that a Bachelor's Degree must be completed first, it could take around 7 years to complete the full educational process. On the other hand, Physical Therapists generally need a Doctoral Degree. A Doctoral Degree by itself most often takes between 4 years and 6 years to complete. And, given that a Master's Degree must be completed first, it could take around 13 years to complete the full educational process.

Is it harder to become an Athletic Trainer vs Physical Therapist?

It is more difficult to become a Physical Therapist than an Athletic Trainer, as it takes 6 more years of education.