National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$63,937
Average (Mean)
$63,704
Employed Nationwide
103,990
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $6,712 more (11.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$57,224
$63,937
Average (Mean) Salary
$60,910
$63,704
Total Employment
90,960
103,990
States with Higher Pay
13
35
Salary by State: Massage Therapists vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. Massage Therapists pays more in 13 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 35.
| State | Massage Therapists | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,920 | $60,490 | $-18,570 | ||
| Alaska | $88,830 | $63,430 | +$25,400 | ||
| Arizona | $60,880 | $62,790 | $-1,910 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,070 | $64,790 | $-26,720 | ||
| California | $45,400 | $79,630 | $-34,230 | ||
| Colorado | $56,110 | $64,180 | $-8,070 | ||
| Connecticut | $59,890 | $72,170 | $-12,280 | ||
| District of Columbia | $59,900 | $69,650 | $-9,750 | ||
| Florida | $48,940 | $65,710 | $-16,770 | ||
| Georgia | $58,100 | $73,120 | $-15,020 | ||
| Idaho | $68,960 | $59,660 | +$9,300 | ||
| Illinois | $60,670 | $63,200 | $-2,530 | ||
| Indiana | $58,300 | $62,710 | $-4,410 | ||
| Iowa | $63,060 | $58,700 | +$4,360 | ||
| Kansas | $48,120 | $61,160 | $-13,040 | ||
| Kentucky | $63,780 | $61,080 | +$2,700 | ||
| Louisiana | $62,870 | $60,790 | +$2,080 | ||
| Maine | $52,000 | $59,350 | $-7,350 | ||
| Maryland | $56,960 | $73,400 | $-16,440 | ||
| Massachusetts | $61,280 | $75,160 | $-13,880 | ||
| Michigan | $61,950 | $60,780 | +$1,170 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,770 | $60,980 | +$1,790 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,980 | $62,090 | $-22,110 | ||
| Missouri | $52,770 | $61,310 | $-8,540 | ||
| Montana | $59,400 | $61,410 | $-2,010 | ||
| Nebraska | $59,910 | $57,790 | +$2,120 | ||
| Nevada | $44,730 | $72,650 | $-27,920 | ||
| New Hampshire | $72,960 | $69,110 | +$3,850 | ||
| New Jersey | $56,380 | $70,160 | $-13,780 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,470 | $60,090 | +$2,380 | ||
| New York | $50,210 | $61,930 | $-11,720 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,570 | $63,170 | $-1,600 | ||
| North Dakota | $53,450 | $58,520 | $-5,070 | ||
| Ohio | $51,100 | $61,540 | $-10,440 | ||
| Oklahoma | $41,600 | $64,020 | $-22,420 | ||
| Oregon | $82,170 | $64,040 | +$18,130 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $56,780 | $59,930 | $-3,150 | ||
| Rhode Island | $56,160 | $62,400 | $-6,240 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,640 | $65,010 | $-17,370 | ||
| South Dakota | $46,540 | $52,730 | $-6,190 | ||
| Tennessee | $49,480 | $61,600 | $-12,120 | ||
| Texas | $49,550 | $75,960 | $-26,410 | ||
| Utah | $59,780 | $60,880 | $-1,100 | ||
| Vermont | $94,620 | $66,630 | +$27,990 | ||
| Virginia | $52,030 | $65,840 | $-13,810 | ||
| Washington | $79,700 | $67,470 | +$12,230 | ||
| West Virginia | $31,080 | $60,010 | $-28,930 | ||
| Wisconsin | $55,950 | $61,730 | $-5,780 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Massage Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants?
On average across all states, a Physical Therapist Assistants earns more than a Massage Therapists. The national median salary difference is $6,712 (11.7%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Massage Therapists earn more than a Physical Therapist Assistants?
A Massage Therapists earns a higher median salary than a Physical Therapist Assistants in 13 out of 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 35 states.
What is the median salary for a Massage Therapists vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Massage Therapists is $57,224 per year, compared to $63,937 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Massage Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Physical Therapist Assistants. BLS reports approximately 90,960 Massage Therapists positions and 103,990 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Massage Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants?
Both Massage Therapists 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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