Career comparison
Athletic Trainer vs. Physical Therapist Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Physical therapist assistants earn more at the median ($68,380 vs. $62,520), while physical therapist assistants usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Athletic trainers prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries for athletes and active people. Physical therapist assistants help patients recover strength and movement after injuries, surgeries and illness.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Athletic Trainer | Physical Therapist Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,520 | $68,380 ($32.88/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $48,180 – $88,760 | $47,750 – $89,510 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +12.7% (much faster than average) | +23.0% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,400 | 18,500 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s | 2 years |
| Key credential | BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) | State PTA license or certification |
| Work setting | Athletic trainers work in training rooms, on fields and courts, in clinics and at industrial sites, in all weather.. | PTAs work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing and rehab facilities, schools and patients’ homes. |
What each job does
Athletic Trainer
- Prevent injuries with taping, bracing and conditioning
- Evaluate injuries on the field and in the clinic
- Provide emergency care
- Design and supervise rehabilitation
- Manage concussion protocols
Physical Therapist Assistant
- Carry out treatment plans written by the physical therapist
- Lead therapeutic exercise and stretching sessions
- Train patients in walking, transfers and assistive devices
- Apply modalities such as heat, ice and electrical stimulation
- Teach home exercise programs
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, hands-on work, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, beauty, fitness & personal care and healthcare, but share transferable skills such as calm under pressure and encouragement and motivation.
Which should you choose?
Choose athletic trainer if…
- I love sports and medicine
- I stay calm during injuries
- I like hands-on care
Choose physical therapist assistant if…
- I like helping people get better over time
- I enjoy exercise and how the body moves
- I’m encouraging when people struggle
Still torn? Take the Athletic Trainer fit quiz and the Physical Therapist Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, athletic trainer or physical therapist assistant?
Physical Therapist Assistants earn more at the median: $68,380 versus $62,520 for athletic trainers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Physical Therapist Assistants typically train faster (2 years) than athletic trainers (Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects physical therapist assistants to grow +23.0% from 2025–35, compared with +12.7% for athletic trainers.