Written and reported by:
All Allied Health Schools Staff
Occupational therapistvs.physical therapist. Which career is right for you? Both do vital hands-on rehabilitative work to help patients with injuries or disabilities that limit how they’re able to move and function in daily life.
PTs work primarily with people recovering from injuries. The goal is to get patients back in motion with exercises, massage and other techniques, and therapy usually happens in a PT’s office. Physical therapy often focuses on preventing injuries, and it can help people avoid surgery or a long-term reliance on medications.
OTs help their patients perform day-to-day tasks, whether they’re recovering from injuries or have developmental or cognitive disabilities affecting their motor skills, emotions or behavior. Some occupational therapy might happen in a hospital or OT’s office, but a key component occurs in a patient’s home or work environment. Other OTs work in schools and help children develop skills to become functioning, independent adults.There’s a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of helping people do the things they want and need to do so they can live life to the fullest.
The Key Differences
Here’s a comparison between occupational therapist vs. physical therapist professions:
Job Duties
Physical Therapists
- Diagnose physical problems restricting movement because of an illness or injury
- Use exercises and other techniques to ease pain and boost mobility and muscle strength
- Develop fitness and wellness programs aimed at preventing injuries and encouraging a more active lifestyle
Occupational Therapists
- Help patients with daily living skills and self-care tasks (i.e., “occupations”) such as getting dressed
- Make recommendations about adaptive and accessibility equipment, such as ramps, wheelchairs, or gait trainers to patients, architects and contractors
- Support patients with memory loss or other cognitive issues
Education
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
- Physical therapists need a doctorate degree accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, which can take about three years to complete.
- Occupational therapists need at least a master’s degree to practice (about two years). A doctoral degree is also an option and takes between two and three years.
Licensing and Certification
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
- Physical therapists must be licensed. To sit for the National Physical Therapist Examination, you have to be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy school.
- Licensing laws vary by state but common requirements include graduating from an accredited occupational therapy school, meeting fieldwork requirements, and passing a national certification exam.
Median Annual Salaries
Your education, years on the job, and location, can play a factor in how much you earn. Compare salaries for PTs and OTs below.
Physical Therapists
National data
Median Salary: $99,710
Projected job growth: 15.1%
10th Percentile: $72,260
25th Percentile: $81,970
75th Percentile: $113,630
90th Percentile: $130,870
Projected job growth: 15.1%
State data
State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $96,700 | $63,670 | $131,700 |
Alaska | $104,610 | $83,890 | $131,100 |
Arizona | $98,510 | $76,670 | $125,740 |
Arkansas | $93,880 | $65,040 | $124,800 |
California | $115,550 | $76,990 | $154,170 |
Colorado | $97,610 | $71,110 | $129,680 |
Connecticut | $103,280 | $76,230 | $130,450 |
Delaware | $102,470 | $80,650 | $131,560 |
District of Columbia | $100,850 | $82,960 | $130,660 |
Florida | $96,970 | $56,470 | $126,780 |
Georgia | $99,890 | $74,910 | $125,590 |
Hawaii | $101,780 | $83,670 | $125,520 |
Idaho | $93,100 | $72,380 | $113,360 |
Illinois | $102,820 | $79,800 | $130,760 |
Indiana | $98,620 | $66,760 | $119,950 |
Iowa | $92,200 | $75,360 | $111,630 |
Kansas | $95,790 | $65,560 | $121,780 |
Kentucky | $88,640 | $45,100 | $120,190 |
Louisiana | $98,920 | $61,930 | $131,680 |
Maine | $90,590 | $75,370 | $109,820 |
Maryland | $102,020 | $79,670 | $130,220 |
Massachusetts | $100,470 | $75,010 | $124,250 |
Michigan | $99,220 | $74,550 | $117,740 |
Minnesota | $96,560 | $79,270 | $112,370 |
Mississippi | $96,430 | $66,470 | $122,860 |
Missouri | $92,140 | $63,240 | $115,870 |
Montana | $85,020 | $65,590 | $107,420 |
Nebraska | $92,680 | $67,440 | $109,880 |
Nevada | $104,000 | $64,470 | $179,550 |
New Hampshire | $96,760 | $77,960 | $112,690 |
New Jersey | $104,010 | $80,850 | $133,790 |
New Mexico | $100,450 | $58,650 | $134,320 |
New York | $97,780 | $63,910 | $131,520 |
North Carolina | $94,830 | $72,560 | $118,320 |
North Dakota | $88,250 | $68,460 | $108,680 |
Ohio | $98,440 | $73,860 | $127,000 |
Oklahoma | $98,090 | $66,340 | $122,030 |
Oregon | $101,000 | $76,960 | $127,300 |
Pennsylvania | $100,240 | $73,200 | $124,950 |
Rhode Island | $95,490 | $74,980 | $131,010 |
South Carolina | $97,280 | $65,820 | $118,660 |
South Dakota | $89,290 | $69,560 | $103,480 |
Tennessee | $98,690 | $76,570 | $118,390 |
Texas | $104,060 | $72,830 | $137,350 |
Utah | $95,000 | $59,790 | $135,780 |
Vermont | $90,860 | $73,920 | $112,260 |
Virginia | $96,780 | $72,550 | $129,840 |
Washington | $100,950 | $75,340 | $131,130 |
West Virginia | $96,210 | $64,010 | $124,310 |
Wisconsin | $97,670 | $75,820 | $118,250 |
Wyoming | $88,290 | $67,400 | $121,630 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Occupational Therapists
National data
Median Salary: $96,370
Projected job growth: 11.5%
10th Percentile: $65,210
25th Percentile: $79,290
75th Percentile: $109,480
90th Percentile: $129,620
Projected job growth: 11.5%
State data
State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $95,340 | $69,240 | $123,690 |
Alaska | $103,180 | $45,210 | $139,430 |
Arizona | $95,020 | $51,710 | $122,110 |
Arkansas | $95,230 | $59,650 | $127,910 |
California | $112,390 | $79,900 | $148,760 |
Colorado | $101,940 | $78,990 | $140,230 |
Connecticut | $98,190 | $63,000 | $128,500 |
Delaware | $96,160 | $60,710 | $125,800 |
District of Columbia | $97,220 | $72,010 | $129,840 |
Florida | $96,010 | $66,640 | $111,740 |
Georgia | $101,290 | $69,140 | $124,120 |
Hawaii | $100,320 | $75,980 | $112,960 |
Idaho | $87,170 | $61,790 | $114,160 |
Illinois | $97,040 | $66,340 | $130,060 |
Indiana | $86,440 | $61,940 | $111,720 |
Iowa | $83,260 | $64,470 | $109,220 |
Kansas | $94,340 | $61,940 | $120,910 |
Kentucky | $82,760 | $65,730 | $110,700 |
Louisiana | $95,230 | $61,370 | $124,800 |
Maine | $79,700 | $62,240 | $100,480 |
Maryland | $100,430 | $72,620 | $128,160 |
Massachusetts | $95,830 | $63,530 | $119,250 |
Michigan | $82,970 | $60,030 | $102,600 |
Minnesota | $84,850 | $64,160 | $101,520 |
Mississippi | $94,990 | $65,780 | $113,800 |
Missouri | $87,060 | $64,820 | $107,770 |
Montana | $84,970 | $68,470 | $107,790 |
Nebraska | $84,850 | $67,920 | $106,870 |
Nevada | $101,510 | $65,690 | $148,310 |
New Hampshire | $87,530 | $61,630 | $112,930 |
New Jersey | $104,570 | $60,530 | $148,140 |
New Mexico | $96,870 | $64,440 | $138,940 |
New York | $101,840 | $64,170 | $158,080 |
North Carolina | $91,100 | $61,810 | $112,170 |
North Dakota | $78,280 | $66,940 | $103,010 |
Ohio | $90,520 | $54,580 | $121,620 |
Oklahoma | $99,530 | $67,790 | $125,500 |
Oregon | $102,400 | $79,600 | $120,990 |
Pennsylvania | $92,660 | $66,540 | $123,540 |
Rhode Island | $97,560 | $70,590 | $119,930 |
South Carolina | $91,620 | $59,340 | $113,370 |
South Dakota | $79,980 | $66,080 | $98,730 |
Tennessee | $94,750 | $70,810 | $115,080 |
Texas | $98,970 | $72,120 | $132,460 |
Utah | $85,750 | $48,880 | $110,560 |
Vermont | $83,730 | $64,650 | $107,430 |
Virginia | $98,510 | $73,770 | $135,240 |
Washington | $100,250 | $78,630 | $128,720 |
West Virginia | $86,450 | $49,360 | $122,560 |
Wisconsin | $82,720 | $63,130 | $103,870 |
Wyoming | $83,740 | $63,720 | $110,560 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
What’s Next?
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
- Seekcertificationfrom theAmerican Board of Physical Therapy Specialties after meeting clinical practice requirements by working with patients in a specialty area, such as:
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Women’s health
- OTs can seek board certification in gerontology, mental health, pediatrics, or physical rehabilitation after meeting clinical practice requirements; or specialty certification in:
- Driving
- Community mobility
- Environment modification
- Low vision
- Feeding, eating, swallowing
- School systems
Insome cases, patients start out with a physical therapist then move on to an occupational therapist. One example: Someone recovering from a stroke might work with a physical therapist to build back muscle strength. Later on, that person would see an occupational therapist to work on buttoning a shirt, using the restroom or taking a shower.
If you’re interested in either career, there are entry-level educational and career options. Find out more about what it takes to become aphysical therapy assistantor anoccupational therapy assistant.