Career comparison
Medical Assistant 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. $45,690), while medical assistants usually get to work faster (9–12 months of training). Medical assistants room patients, take vitals, give injections and keep clinic records accurate. 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
| Medical Assistant | Physical Therapist Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,690 ($21.97/hr) | $68,380 ($32.88/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,050 – $59,310 | $47,750 – $89,510 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +12.9% (much faster than average) | +23.0% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 109,700 | 18,500 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 9–12 months | 2 years |
| Key credential | CMA (AAMA) | State PTA license or certification |
| Work setting | Most medical assistants work in physician offices, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers and hospitals. | PTAs work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing and rehab facilities, schools and patients’ homes. |
What each job does
Medical Assistant
- Room patients, verify identity and record the chief complaint and medical history
- Measure vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, height, weight and oxygen saturation
- Prepare for and assist with exams, minor procedures and specimen collection
- Administer injections and vaccines and run point-of-care tests where state law allows
- Document visits accurately in the electronic health record
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 working with people, helping others, indoor work, and teamwork. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose medical assistant if…
- I stay calm around needles, blood and people who feel sick
- I like switching between hands-on tasks and computer work
- I can explain things clearly to nervous or frustrated people
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 Medical Assistant fit quiz and the Physical Therapist Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, medical assistant or physical therapist assistant?
Physical Therapist Assistants earn more at the median: $68,380 versus $45,690 for medical assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Medical Assistants typically train faster (9–12 months) than physical therapist assistants (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects physical therapist assistants to grow +23.0% from 2025–35, compared with +12.9% for medical assistants.