Career comparison
Physical Therapist vs. Physical Therapist Aide
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Physical therapists earn more at the median ($102,760 vs. $35,240), while physical therapist aides usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Physical therapists help people recover movement and manage pain after injury or illness. Physical therapist aides help physical therapy teams set up, clean and keep patients moving.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Physical Therapist | Physical Therapist Aide | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $102,760 ($49.40/hr) | $35,240 ($16.94/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $77,140 – $135,140 | $25,360 – $47,780 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +11.9% (much faster than average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 13,400 | 6,400 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 7 years after high school | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | NPTE | CPR |
| Work setting | PTs work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing facilities, homes, schools and sports settings.. | PT aides work in outpatient clinics, hospitals and sports medicine centers.. |
What each job does
Physical Therapist
- Examine and evaluate patients
- Diagnose movement problems
- Design treatment plans
- Guide therapeutic exercise
- Provide manual therapy
Physical Therapist Aide
- Set up equipment
- Clean treatment areas
- Help patients move
- Prepare hot and cold packs
- Assist with exercises under supervision
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, physical work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose physical therapist if…
- I love anatomy and exercise
- I enjoy motivating people
- I like hands-on work
Choose physical therapist aide if…
- I like fitness and health
- I want to explore PT
- I’m friendly
Still torn? Take the Physical Therapist fit quiz and the Physical Therapist Aide fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, physical therapist or physical therapist aide?
Physical Therapists earn more at the median: $102,760 versus $35,240 for physical therapist aides, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Physical Therapist Aides typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than physical therapists (7 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects physical therapists to grow +11.9% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for physical therapist aides.