Choosing a career in the allied health professions is a path toward a rewarding, in-demand, and financially stable future. Two of the most prominent roles in this sector are Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT). While both focus on helping patients recover from injury and illness to improve their quality of life, they do so with different philosophies and approaches.
This naturally leads to a critical question for aspiring professionals: what is the earning potential in each field? On average, physical therapists earn a slightly higher median salary, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reporting a median of $97,720 per year for PTs versus $93,180 per year for OTs.
However, the story doesn't end there. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the OT vs. PT salary landscape, exploring the factors that influence compensation, job outlook, and the fundamental differences between these two vital careers.
The Core Differences: What Do OTs and PTs Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the distinct roles of each therapist. Your passion for one approach over the other should be a significant factor in your career choice.
### What Does an Occupational Therapist (OT) Do?
Occupational therapists help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Their holistic approach focuses on adapting the environment and improving the skills needed to perform the "jobs" of daily living.
Key responsibilities include:
- Helping a stroke survivor regain the ability to dress, cook, and manage their home independently.
- Assisting a child with sensory processing disorders to succeed in a classroom environment.
- Modifying a workspace for an adult with a repetitive strain injury.
- Working with older adults on cognitive strategies and fall prevention to allow them to age in place safely.
The core of OT is enabling independence in all facets of life—from self-care and work to leisure and social participation.
### What Does a Physical Therapist (PT) Do?
Physical therapists are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. They diagnose and treat individuals who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Guiding an athlete's rehabilitation after a torn ACL to return them to their sport.
- Helping a patient manage chronic back pain through targeted exercises and manual therapy.
- Restoring mobility and strength in a patient after joint replacement surgery.
- Working with individuals with neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease to improve balance and gait.
The core of PT is restoring physical function, reducing pain, and promoting mobility.
Average OT vs. PT Salary: A Head-to-Head Comparison
While passion should drive your choice, compensation is a practical and important consideration. Both OTs and PTs are well-compensated professionals, reflecting their advanced education and critical role in healthcare.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2022), the salary landscape is as follows:
| Profession | Median Annual Salary | Typical Entry-Level | Top 10% Earners |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Physical Therapist (PT) | $97,720 | < $67,950 | > $128,660 |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | $93,180 | < $64,390 | > $123,870 |
*(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook)*
Salary aggregators provide a similar picture, often reflecting real-time job postings and user-reported data. For example, Salary.com (as of late 2023) places the median PT salary around $99,990 and the median OT salary around $96,559.
The key takeaway is that while PTs have a slight edge in median pay, both professions offer robust salaries with significant growth potential.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your final salary is not a single number but a range influenced by several key variables. Understanding these factors will help you maximize your earning potential in either field.
###
Level of Education
The educational pathway is a primary driver of the base salary difference.
- Physical Therapy: Entry into the profession requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This three-year, post-baccalaureate doctoral program provides an extensive education in diagnostics, evidence-based practice, and clinical reasoning, justifying a higher starting salary.
- Occupational Therapy: The standard entry-level degree is a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). However, the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is becoming increasingly common. While an OTD may lead to a slightly higher salary or open more doors in academia and research, the MOT remains the primary degree for most clinical practitioners. The standard requirement of a master's versus a doctorate contributes to the slight difference in median pay.
###
Years of Experience
As with nearly all professions, experience is a major determinant of pay.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): New graduates in both fields will start at the lower end of the salary range as they build clinical skills and confidence.
- Mid-Career (5-10 years): With substantial experience, therapists can take on more complex cases, mentor junior staff, or move into management, all of which command higher salaries.
- Senior/Experienced (15+ years): Therapists with decades of experience, particularly those with specializations or in private practice, occupy the top tier of earners. According to PayScale, an experienced Physical Therapist can earn 15-25% more than their entry-level counterparts, a trend that is nearly identical for Occupational Therapists.
###
Geographic Location
Where you practice has one of the largest impacts on your salary. States with a high cost of living and high demand for healthcare professionals typically offer the highest pay.
Top-Paying States for Physical Therapists (Annual Mean Wage):
1. Nevada: $108,530
2. California: $106,860
3. New Jersey: $105,450
4. Connecticut: $104,180
5. Delaware: $103,450
Top-Paying States for Occupational Therapists (Annual Mean Wage):
1. California: $109,240
2. Nevada: $104,810
3. New York: $101,690
4. New Jersey: $101,150
5. Virginia: $98,300
*(Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2022)*
It's crucial to balance high salaries with the local cost of living to understand your true earning potential.
###
Work Setting / Company Type
The environment where you work significantly affects compensation.
| Work Setting | Median PT Salary | Median OT Salary |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Home Healthcare Services | $103,790 | $101,950 |
| Nursing & Residential Care Facilities | $101,110 | $98,180 |
| Hospitals (State, Local, Private)| $98,390 | $94,860 |
| Offices of PTs, OTs, etc. | $92,200 | $91,950 |
| Educational Services | $83,780 | $80,950 |
*(Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2022)*
Generally, home healthcare and skilled nursing facilities pay a premium to attract talent, while roles in public school systems tend to be on the lower end of the pay scale, often balanced by better benefits and work-life balance.
###
Area of Specialization
Pursuing advanced certification in a niche area is a powerful way to increase your value and salary.
- For Physical Therapists: The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) offers certifications in areas like Orthopedics (OCS), Sports (SCS), Neurology (NCS), and Geriatrics. Therapists with these credentials, especially in private practice, often command higher salaries.
- For Occupational Therapists: One of the most lucrative specializations is becoming a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). This advanced certification requires significant experience and a rigorous exam but can lead to a substantial salary increase. Other valuable specializations include Gerontology (BCG), Pediatrics (BCP), and Seating and Mobility (ATP/SMS).
Job Outlook: A Bright Future for Both Professions
The demand for both occupational and physical therapists is exceptionally strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects robust growth for both professions between 2022 and 2032, far outpacing the average for all occupations.
- Physical Therapists: Job growth is projected at 15%, with an estimated 13,900 new openings each year.
- Occupational Therapists: Job growth is projected at 12%, with an estimated 9,600 new openings each year.
This high demand is driven by the aging of the baby-boomer generation, who will require more therapeutic services to stay active and manage chronic conditions. Furthermore, there is a growing recognition of the value of rehabilitation in treating conditions like diabetes, obesity, and autism. This ensures excellent job security and opportunities for anyone entering these fields.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Career
So, which path is right for you?
While physical therapists have a slight edge in median salary—largely due to the universal DPT requirement—the overall earning potential for both professions is remarkably similar and exceptionally strong. An OT with a coveted specialization in a high-paying state can easily out-earn a PT in a lower-paying region.
Ultimately, the small difference in average salary should not be the deciding factor. Your decision should be based on which professional philosophy resonates more deeply with you.
- Choose Physical Therapy if you are passionate about the science of movement, biomechanics, and restoring gross motor function.
- Choose Occupational Therapy if you are drawn to a holistic, whole-person approach focused on improving independence in the meaningful activities of daily life.
The best advice is to shadow professionals in both fields. See firsthand what a day in their life looks like. By aligning your career choice with your passion, you are setting yourself up for a fulfilling and financially rewarding journey in a field where you make a tangible difference every single day.