Healthcare careers are booming right now. Physical therapy is projected to grow 28% and occupational therapy 24% by 2026. This is a big deal because the growth rate is higher than most other professions. Both careers offer excellent earning potential - physical therapists earn around $97,720 annually, while occupational therapists make $93,180.
When considering a career in rehabilitation, many people wonder about the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy. Both occupational therapists and physical therapists are essential healthcare professionals who play crucial roles in helping patients improve their quality of life. However, there are significant differences between these two fields that are important to understand.
Physical therapists are movement specialists who focus on improving mobility and physical function. They often work on gross motor skills and provide pain relief through various techniques. Occupational therapists, on the other hand, take a different path. They help people become skilled at daily activities and maintain their independence, often focusing on fine motor skills and sensory processing. The United States currently employs 258,200 physical therapists and 143,300 occupational therapists. These professionals are essential to the healthcare system.
Let's dive into the main differences between these therapeutic fields in this piece. We'll look at everything from education requirements to salary potential, comparing and contrasting an occupational therapist and a physical therapist. This information will help you choose the right career path between occupational vs physical therapy.
The path to becoming an occupational therapist or physical therapist starts with understanding their unique educational experiences. Both careers require a strong commitment and differ in several ways.
An occupational therapist's education typically takes 6-7 years total. Students complete a 4-year bachelor's degree and then move on to either a 2-year master's program (MSOT) or a 3-year doctorate (OTD). The minimum requirement to practice is a master's degree, though many schools now offer doctoral programs, too.
Physical therapy education is more straightforward and requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The path takes 7 years: 4 years for a bachelor's degree and 3 years in a DPT program. This doctoral requirement sets physical therapy apart from occupational therapy's educational requirements.
Both fields require undergraduate coursework in biology, anatomy, physiology, and psychology, though each program's prerequisites might vary.
Hands-on training plays a vital role in both paths, but each field structures it differently.
Physical therapy programs devote about 23% of their curriculum to clinical education. Students must finish at least 30 weeks of full-time clinical work before graduation. During COVID-19, some students completed 28 weeks instead. These experiences happen in different settings to expose students to patients of all types and conditions, including those with musculoskeletal conditions and neurological conditions.
Occupational therapy students work under licensed OTs during supervised fieldwork. They work as occupational therapy students (OTS) and apply their classroom knowledge in ground settings. Their clinical rotations give them enough exposure to work in various environments, often dealing with developmental disorders and helping patients with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Both professions require a national examination and state licensure after completing their education.
Occupational therapists must score 450 or higher on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become registered Occupational Therapists (OTR).
Physical therapists take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
On top of that, both professions:
Recent graduates in some states can practice with temporary licenses while waiting for exam results, though state requirements vary.
"Physical therapists are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education." — MCPHS University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
The daily work environments of occupational therapists and physical therapists show key differences in how they use their expertise, beyond just their educational backgrounds. Understanding these differences is crucial when comparing occupational vs physical therapy careers.
These healthcare professionals work in various settings, each with their own focus areas. You'll find occupational therapists in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health facilities, community health centers, and private practices. The numbers tell us that about 13% of OTs work in elementary and secondary schools.
Physical therapists tend to work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports medicine facilities, and home health agencies. The breakdown shows that 35% of PTs work in therapy offices, 28% in hospitals, and 10% in home healthcare services. PTs are more likely than OTs to work in sports medicine and fitness-related settings, often focusing on injury recovery and chronic pain management.
Patient relationships look quite different between these professions. Occupational therapists help people develop or recover skills they need for daily living and working. OTs look at their patients' physical conditions, cognitive abilities, and environmental factors that affect their daily lives during sessions. They often focus on improving fine motor skills and functional independence.
Physical therapists focus on movement patterns, diagnose dysfunctions, and create treatment plans for physical recovery. PTs often remind us that "the patient has to be involved for it to be most effective" since they might only see patients for "30 minutes once or twice a week". Their work often involves improving gross motor skills and providing pain relief through manual therapy and therapeutic exercises.
Both groups build connections with patients through small talk, friendly conversation, and showing empathy when patients face challenges. The teaching approach remains their most common way to communicate with patients.
Documentation plays a vital role in both professions' daily tasks. These therapists must write daily notes, progress reports, and discharge summaries to track how patients improve and support billing.
Physical therapists document their evaluation findings, treatment approaches, and measurable progress toward functional goals. Occupational therapists record functional improvements, adaptive equipment needs, and environmental modifications.
Good documentation serves three essential purposes: communication, payment justification, and legal protection. Both professionals need detailed notes to show insurance companies why their skilled services are medically necessary.
"A PT focuses on improving the patient's ability to move their body whereas an OT focuses on improving the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living." — MCPHS University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Physical therapy and occupational therapy fields give practitioners many chances to specialize and focus their expertise on specific patient groups or treatment methods. This section will explore the various specialties available in both professions, highlighting the difference between physical and occupational therapy approaches.
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) recognizes ten specialty areas where PTs can get board certification to show their advanced clinical knowledge and skills. More than 30,000 physical therapists across the nation have earned board certification in these specialties. Orthopedics leads as the most popular choice, with 21,401 certified specialists as of June 2023. The field includes other key specialties:
The field has grown with newer specialties like Oncology and Wound Management.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers board certification in four primary areas: Gerontology, Mental Health, Pediatrics, and Physical Rehabilitation. OTs can also specialize in several practice areas, such as:
Many OTs become Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs), Certified Autism Specialists, or work with specific groups like veterans or people experiencing homelessness. These specializations often involve a holistic approach to patient care, addressing both physical and mental aspects of health.
Both professions require significant clinical experience for advanced certification—usually 3+ years of practice and between 2,000-4,000 hours of specialty experience. Physical therapy assistants can advance their careers through the PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program, which offers specialization in eight areas, including Acute Care, Geriatrics, and Oncology.
These certifications show the practitioner's expertise and commitment. They often lead to better career opportunities, higher salary potential, and greater recognition in healthcare communities. Whether you choose to become an occupational therapist vs a physical therapist, there are numerous opportunities for specialization and career growth.
Let's explore the key differences between occupational therapy and physical therapy careers by looking at their financial benefits and job security. This comparison will help you understand occupational therapy vs physical therapy in terms of career prospects.
Physical therapists earn a bit more than their occupational therapy colleagues in today's job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that physical therapists earned a median annual wage of $99,710 in May 2023. Occupational therapists earned $96,370. This pay difference has stayed steady, with PTs earning about 3-5% higher salaries.
Experience plays a big role in how much these professionals earn. Physical therapists' yearly wages jump from $72,000 at entry-level to $104,000 after 16 years on the job. PTs add about $800 to their annual salary for each year of experience. OTs see smaller increases of $220 per year.
The future looks bright for both careers. The job market for physical therapists should grow 15% from 2022 to 2032, creating 13,900 new positions yearly. Occupational therapy jobs will expand 11% from 2023 to 2033, adding 9,800 openings each year.
Both fields are growing faster than most other careers. This growth comes from our aging population, better awareness of therapy benefits, and steady demand for pediatric and rehabilitation services.
Where you work makes a huge difference in what you earn. California tops the list for physical therapists with average salaries of $114,270. Nevada follows at $111,460, and Alaska comes in third at $110,830.
Occupational therapists in California earn $109,220 on average. The pay gap becomes clear when you look at Puerto Rico, where OTs earn just $45,380.
The work setting affects pay rates, too. PTs in skilled nursing facilities earn the highest wages, while school-based therapists earn less. OTs working in home healthcare bring home $101,500 yearly, which is a big deal as it means that they earn more than school-based OTs at $79,660.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy are two essential healthcare professions that create different career paths and opportunities. Both fields require extensive education and clinical training, but their basic approaches are substantially different. PTs concentrate on movement and physical function, often dealing with gross motor skills and providing pain relief, while OTs help patients become skilled at daily activities, focusing on fine motor skills and functional independence.
Both professions command impressive salaries. Physical therapists earn slightly higher median wages at $99,710 compared to occupational therapists at $96,370. The job outlook is bright, especially when you have an aging population and growing awareness of therapeutic benefits that drive demand in both fields.
Your interests and strengths should guide your choice between these careers. Physical therapy might be perfect if you love movement science and rehabilitation. Occupational therapy could be your calling if you want to help patients regain independence through daily activities. Both paths offer a holistic approach to patient care and the opportunity to work with assistive devices and provide therapeutic exercises. Whether you choose to become a physical therapist or vs occupational therapist, both paths are a great way to get meaningful work that changes patients' lives while providing job security and competitive pay.
Physical therapy primarily focuses on improving a patient's ability to move and function physically, often working on gross motor skills, while occupational therapy concentrates on enhancing a patient's ability to perform daily activities independently, often focusing on fine motor skills and sensory processing.
Physical therapists must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which typically takes 7 years in total. Occupational therapists can enter the field with either a master's degree (MSOT) or a doctorate (OTD), with the total education spanning 6-7 years.
Yes, while both work in various healthcare settings, physical therapists are more commonly found in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and sports medicine facilities. Occupational therapists often work in hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, and community health centers.
Physical therapists tend to earn slightly higher salaries, with a median annual wage of $99,710 compared to $96,370 for occupational therapists. However, both professions offer competitive compensation that increases with experience and specialization.
Both fields are experiencing strong growth. Physical therapy jobs are projected to grow by 15% from 2022 to 2032, while occupational therapy jobs are forecast to increase by 11% from 2023 to 2033. Both rates are significantly higher than the average for all occupations.
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