National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$63,937
Average (Mean)
$63,704
Employed Nationwide
103,990
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $17,725 more (38.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,211
$63,937
Average (Mean) Salary
$46,931
$63,704
Total Employment
370,670
103,990
States with Higher Pay
1
50
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 1 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 50.
| State | Dental Assistants | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,120 | $60,490 | $-24,370 | ||
| Alaska | $51,820 | $63,430 | $-11,610 | ||
| Arizona | $48,190 | $62,790 | $-14,600 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,590 | $64,790 | $-26,200 | ||
| California | $48,210 | $79,630 | $-31,420 | ||
| Colorado | $48,950 | $64,180 | $-15,230 | ||
| Connecticut | $49,510 | $72,170 | $-22,660 | ||
| Delaware | $46,320 | $63,190 | $-16,870 | ||
| District of Columbia | $52,880 | $69,650 | $-16,770 | ||
| Florida | $46,600 | $65,710 | $-19,110 | ||
| Georgia | $45,670 | $73,120 | $-27,450 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,880 | $57,710 | $-12,830 | ||
| Idaho | $37,700 | $59,660 | $-21,960 | ||
| Illinois | $43,590 | $63,200 | $-19,610 | ||
| Indiana | $46,380 | $62,710 | $-16,330 | ||
| Iowa | $47,580 | $58,700 | $-11,120 | ||
| Kansas | $39,290 | $61,160 | $-21,870 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,530 | $61,080 | $-22,550 | ||
| Louisiana | $38,180 | $60,790 | $-22,610 | ||
| Maine | $47,060 | $59,350 | $-12,290 | ||
| Maryland | $47,920 | $73,400 | $-25,480 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,860 | $75,160 | $-16,300 | ||
| Michigan | $45,740 | $60,780 | $-15,040 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,870 | $60,980 | +$1,890 | ||
| Mississippi | $36,710 | $62,090 | $-25,380 | ||
| Missouri | $45,760 | $61,310 | $-15,550 | ||
| Montana | $44,400 | $61,410 | $-17,010 | ||
| Nebraska | $44,480 | $57,790 | $-13,310 | ||
| Nevada | $46,330 | $72,650 | $-26,320 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,360 | $69,110 | $-12,750 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,790 | $70,160 | $-23,370 | ||
| New Mexico | $38,480 | $60,090 | $-21,610 | ||
| New York | $45,590 | $61,930 | $-16,340 | ||
| North Carolina | $47,000 | $63,170 | $-16,170 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,040 | $58,520 | $-1,480 | ||
| Ohio | $46,450 | $61,540 | $-15,090 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,940 | $64,020 | $-25,080 | ||
| Oregon | $57,040 | $64,040 | $-7,000 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $46,680 | $59,930 | $-13,250 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,120 | $62,400 | $-15,280 | ||
| South Carolina | $46,490 | $65,010 | $-18,520 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,490 | $52,730 | $-5,240 | ||
| Tennessee | $45,190 | $61,600 | $-16,410 | ||
| Texas | $39,640 | $75,960 | $-36,320 | ||
| Utah | $37,140 | $60,880 | $-23,740 | ||
| Vermont | $49,730 | $66,630 | $-16,900 | ||
| Virginia | $48,000 | $65,840 | $-17,840 | ||
| Washington | $55,700 | $67,470 | $-11,770 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,360 | $60,010 | $-22,650 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,970 | $61,730 | $-15,760 | ||
| Wyoming | $47,450 | $58,940 | $-11,490 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
On average across all states, a Physical Therapist Assistants earns more than a Dental Assistants. The national median salary difference is $17,725 (38.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Physical Therapist Assistants?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Physical Therapist Assistants in 1 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 50 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $46,211 per year, compared to $63,937 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 370,670 Dental Assistants positions and 103,990 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
Both Dental Assistants and Physical Therapist Assistants are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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