National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$67,076
Average (Mean)
$66,841
Employed Nationwide
112,400
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $17,976 more (36.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$67,076
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$66,841
Total Employment
384,650
112,400
States with Higher Pay
0
50
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 0 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 50.
| State | Dental Assistants | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $61,430 | $-22,350 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $77,640 | $-19,930 | ||
| Arizona | $49,000 | $64,650 | $-15,650 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $64,520 | $-21,690 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $83,110 | $-33,000 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $64,810 | $-16,470 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $75,880 | $-19,030 | ||
| Delaware | $47,600 | $74,610 | $-27,010 | ||
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $63,400 | $-2,820 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $72,530 | $-24,910 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $72,800 | $-25,960 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $67,510 | $-22,790 | ||
| Idaho | $45,880 | $61,020 | $-15,140 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $65,240 | $-16,630 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $65,280 | $-16,610 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $61,030 | $-12,600 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $61,480 | $-13,750 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $65,370 | $-21,280 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $66,250 | $-6,180 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $77,670 | $-29,050 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $79,460 | $-21,480 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $61,670 | $-12,850 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $66,770 | $-1,500 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $61,770 | $-22,610 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $63,770 | $-17,800 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $62,650 | $-15,970 | ||
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $61,370 | $-14,710 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $75,520 | $-28,410 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $71,440 | $-11,910 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $78,440 | $-29,050 | ||
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $62,280 | $-17,880 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $64,100 | $-15,990 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $67,540 | $-17,160 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $63,520 | $-5,750 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $63,820 | $-15,850 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $59,480 | $-13,740 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $73,180 | $-13,690 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $62,580 | $-14,650 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $68,640 | $-18,490 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $70,500 | $-23,180 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $49,310 | $-1,410 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $62,500 | $-15,780 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $78,000 | $-32,570 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $61,980 | $-24,220 | ||
| Vermont | $52,760 | $71,600 | $-18,840 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $73,760 | $-27,090 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $66,450 | $-8,360 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $60,430 | $-22,470 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $64,080 | $-16,560 | ||
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $63,550 | $-18,560 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $17,976 (36.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $67,076 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 112,400 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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