National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$63,937
Average (Mean)
$63,704
Employed Nationwide
103,990
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $22,403 more (53.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$41,533
$63,937
Average (Mean) Salary
$42,404
$63,704
Total Employment
763,020
103,990
States with Higher Pay
0
51
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 0 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 51.
| State | Medical Assistants | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,050 | $60,490 | $-26,440 | ||
| Alaska | $50,160 | $63,430 | $-13,270 | ||
| Arizona | $43,770 | $62,790 | $-19,020 | ||
| Arkansas | $35,050 | $64,790 | $-29,740 | ||
| California | $46,690 | $79,630 | $-32,940 | ||
| Colorado | $45,770 | $64,180 | $-18,410 | ||
| Connecticut | $45,780 | $72,170 | $-26,390 | ||
| Delaware | $40,250 | $63,190 | $-22,940 | ||
| District of Columbia | $48,710 | $69,650 | $-20,940 | ||
| Florida | $38,340 | $65,710 | $-27,370 | ||
| Georgia | $38,060 | $73,120 | $-35,060 | ||
| Hawaii | $46,930 | $57,710 | $-10,780 | ||
| Idaho | $40,670 | $59,660 | $-18,990 | ||
| Illinois | $42,850 | $63,200 | $-20,350 | ||
| Indiana | $40,680 | $62,710 | $-22,030 | ||
| Iowa | $42,980 | $58,700 | $-15,720 | ||
| Kansas | $37,670 | $61,160 | $-23,490 | ||
| Kentucky | $37,140 | $61,080 | $-23,940 | ||
| Louisiana | $34,280 | $60,790 | $-26,510 | ||
| Maine | $44,610 | $59,350 | $-14,740 | ||
| Maryland | $44,010 | $73,400 | $-29,390 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,770 | $75,160 | $-27,390 | ||
| Michigan | $38,300 | $60,780 | $-22,480 | ||
| Minnesota | $48,890 | $60,980 | $-12,090 | ||
| Mississippi | $34,040 | $62,090 | $-28,050 | ||
| Missouri | $38,260 | $61,310 | $-23,050 | ||
| Montana | $44,040 | $61,410 | $-17,370 | ||
| Nebraska | $39,870 | $57,790 | $-17,920 | ||
| Nevada | $39,940 | $72,650 | $-32,710 | ||
| New Hampshire | $46,240 | $69,110 | $-22,870 | ||
| New Jersey | $45,340 | $70,160 | $-24,820 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,640 | $60,090 | $-22,450 | ||
| New York | $45,440 | $61,930 | $-16,490 | ||
| North Carolina | $40,190 | $63,170 | $-22,980 | ||
| North Dakota | $40,880 | $58,520 | $-17,640 | ||
| Ohio | $38,280 | $61,540 | $-23,260 | ||
| Oklahoma | $37,240 | $64,020 | $-26,780 | ||
| Oregon | $48,350 | $64,040 | $-15,690 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $39,480 | $59,930 | $-20,450 | ||
| Rhode Island | $43,980 | $62,400 | $-18,420 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,420 | $65,010 | $-27,590 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,280 | $52,730 | $-16,450 | ||
| Tennessee | $37,350 | $61,600 | $-24,250 | ||
| Texas | $37,570 | $75,960 | $-38,390 | ||
| Utah | $40,270 | $60,880 | $-20,610 | ||
| Vermont | $44,480 | $66,630 | $-22,150 | ||
| Virginia | $40,240 | $65,840 | $-25,600 | ||
| Washington | $52,600 | $67,470 | $-14,870 | ||
| West Virginia | $34,340 | $60,010 | $-25,670 | ||
| Wisconsin | $46,320 | $61,730 | $-15,410 | ||
| Wyoming | $38,730 | $58,940 | $-20,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Medical Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
On average across all states, a Physical Therapist Assistants earns more than a Medical Assistants. The national median salary difference is $22,403 (53.9%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $41,533 per year, compared to $63,937 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 763,020 Medical Assistants positions and 103,990 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Medical Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
Both Medical 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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