According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for Occupational Therapy Assistants is $63,560 per year, while Physical Therapist Assistants earn an average of $60,740 per year. As a result, these two professions have salaries that are similar.
However, it's worth noting that salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the specific setting in which the employee works. As an example, Occupational Therapy Assistants who work in Nevada (with an average salary of $78,100) may earn more than those who work in South Dakota ($46,420). And Physical Therapist Assistants in California earn 56% more on average than those in Idaho.
Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants overview
Occupational Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapist Assistants are fundamental to the Health Care Services industry. There is a general interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, including the average salary for each of them.
Occupational Therapy Assistant job description
Occupational Therapy Assistants assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
Occupational Therapy Assistant education and experience
Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant typically involves obtaining an Associate's Degree. But additionally, among employees with this job title, there are also some with a College Course Certificate (5%). With regard to experience, 39% of Occupational Therapy Assistant occupations require a 6 months to 1 year of previous work-related experience. A smaller portion of roles (30%) do not require any previous experience.
Occupational Therapy Assistant average salary
As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States had a workforce of 41,980 Occupational Therapy Assistants in 2021 and they earned an average of $63,560 per year. The lowest earning 10 percent made $46,810 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $80,210 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the mean salary has increased by 0.2%.
Do Occupational Therapy Assistants make good money?
The mean salary of Occupational Therapy Assistants is 9% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260). In contrast, they make 10% less than the mean salary of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).
The mean salary of Occupational Therapy Assistants is 9% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260).
Occupational Therapy Assistants job growth
There has been a decrease in the employment of Occupational Therapy Assistants in the last two years. In 2021, there have been 770 less job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows a decline of 1.8%. Job growth has averaged -0.4% over the past 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 has grown 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 Occupational Therapy Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants make more?
These two jobs have similar salaries. Physical Therapist Assistants average around $60,740 per year, while Occupational Therapy Assistants make $63,560 per year.
How long does it take to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant vs Physical Therapist Assistant?
Both Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant occupations typically require a Associate's Degree. Completing an Associate's Degree most often takes around 2 years of study.
Is it harder to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant vs Physical Therapist Assistant?
The education requirements for both occupations are similar, making the difficulty of achieving either one equal.