National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$67,076
Average (Mean)
$66,841
Employed Nationwide
112,400
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $22,473 more (50.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$44,602
$67,076
Average (Mean) Salary
$45,471
$66,841
Total Employment
817,850
112,400
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 | $36,100 | $61,430 | $-25,330 | ||
| Alaska | $52,560 | $77,640 | $-25,080 | ||
| Arizona | $45,940 | $64,650 | $-18,710 | ||
| Arkansas | $37,760 | $64,520 | $-26,760 | ||
| California | $49,660 | $83,110 | $-33,450 | ||
| Colorado | $48,400 | $64,810 | $-16,410 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,430 | $75,880 | $-28,450 | ||
| Delaware | $44,490 | $74,610 | $-30,120 | ||
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $63,400 | $-12,350 | ||
| Florida | $43,680 | $72,530 | $-28,850 | ||
| Georgia | $41,600 | $72,800 | $-31,200 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,410 | $67,510 | $-19,100 | ||
| Idaho | $44,700 | $61,020 | $-16,320 | ||
| Illinois | $46,090 | $65,240 | $-19,150 | ||
| Indiana | $45,110 | $65,280 | $-20,170 | ||
| Iowa | $45,480 | $61,030 | $-15,550 | ||
| Kansas | $39,510 | $64,500 | $-24,990 | ||
| Kentucky | $39,270 | $61,480 | $-22,210 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,320 | $65,370 | $-29,050 | ||
| Maine | $47,580 | $66,250 | $-18,670 | ||
| Maryland | $46,410 | $77,670 | $-31,260 | ||
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $79,460 | $-30,000 | ||
| Michigan | $39,870 | $61,670 | $-21,800 | ||
| Minnesota | $50,480 | $66,770 | $-16,290 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,360 | $61,770 | $-26,410 | ||
| Missouri | $40,440 | $63,770 | $-23,330 | ||
| Montana | $46,820 | $62,650 | $-15,830 | ||
| Nebraska | $47,370 | $61,370 | $-14,000 | ||
| Nevada | $45,200 | $75,520 | $-30,320 | ||
| New Hampshire | $48,020 | $71,440 | $-23,420 | ||
| New Jersey | $47,210 | $78,440 | $-31,230 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,230 | $62,280 | $-23,050 | ||
| New York | $48,000 | $64,100 | $-16,100 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,140 | $67,540 | $-22,400 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,980 | $63,520 | $-17,540 | ||
| Ohio | $42,810 | $63,820 | $-21,010 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,750 | $59,480 | $-20,730 | ||
| Oregon | $50,410 | $73,180 | $-22,770 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | $62,580 | $-18,660 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,190 | $68,640 | $-21,450 | ||
| South Carolina | $41,160 | $70,500 | $-29,340 | ||
| South Dakota | $41,870 | $49,310 | $-7,440 | ||
| Tennessee | $39,570 | $62,500 | $-22,930 | ||
| Texas | $39,520 | $78,000 | $-38,480 | ||
| Utah | $45,360 | $61,980 | $-16,620 | ||
| Vermont | $47,250 | $71,600 | $-24,350 | ||
| Virginia | $44,740 | $73,760 | $-29,020 | ||
| Washington | $59,290 | $66,450 | $-7,160 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,180 | $60,430 | $-23,250 | ||
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $64,080 | $-15,400 | ||
| Wyoming | $40,920 | $63,550 | $-22,630 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $22,473 (50.4%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $44,602 per year, compared to $67,076 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 817,850 Medical Assistants positions and 112,400 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.