Medical Equipment Preparers vs Physical Therapist Assistants: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Medical Equipment Preparers

Median Salary
$43,604
Average (Mean)
$45,305
Employed Nationwide
66,810
VS

Physical Therapist Assistants

Median Salary
$63,937
Average (Mean)
$63,704
Employed Nationwide
103,990
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $20,332 more (46.6%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $43,604 $63,937
Average (Mean) Salary $45,305 $63,704
Total Employment 66,810 103,990
States with Higher Pay 0 51

Salary by State: Medical Equipment Preparers vs Physical Therapist Assistants

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 0 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 51.

State Medical Equipment Preparers Physical Therapist Assistants Difference
Alabama $32,920
$60,490
$-27,570
Alaska $51,190
$63,430
$-12,240
Arizona $43,810
$62,790
$-18,980
Arkansas $35,350
$64,790
$-29,440
California $59,960
$79,630
$-19,670
Colorado $47,840
$64,180
$-16,340
Connecticut $46,400
$72,170
$-25,770
Delaware $50,550
$63,190
$-12,640
District of Columbia $51,860
$69,650
$-17,790
Florida $39,990
$65,710
$-25,720
Georgia $44,220
$73,120
$-28,900
Hawaii $52,320
$57,710
$-5,390
Idaho $38,360
$59,660
$-21,300
Illinois $46,020
$63,200
$-17,180
Indiana $38,960
$62,710
$-23,750
Iowa $38,430
$58,700
$-20,270
Kansas $38,480
$61,160
$-22,680
Kentucky $41,650
$61,080
$-19,430
Louisiana $35,660
$60,790
$-25,130
Maine $44,230
$59,350
$-15,120
Maryland $47,640
$73,400
$-25,760
Massachusetts $49,570
$75,160
$-25,590
Michigan $41,560
$60,780
$-19,220
Minnesota $48,410
$60,980
$-12,570
Mississippi $31,410
$62,090
$-30,680
Missouri $40,870
$61,310
$-20,440
Montana $41,600
$61,410
$-19,810
Nebraska $37,460
$57,790
$-20,330
Nevada $43,510
$72,650
$-29,140
New Hampshire $45,450
$69,110
$-23,660
New Jersey $51,170
$70,160
$-18,990
New Mexico $39,110
$60,090
$-20,980
New York $49,870
$61,930
$-12,060
North Carolina $41,500
$63,170
$-21,670
North Dakota $37,560
$58,520
$-20,960
Ohio $42,540
$61,540
$-19,000
Oklahoma $40,890
$64,020
$-23,130
Oregon $48,220
$64,040
$-15,820
Pennsylvania $44,860
$59,930
$-15,070
Rhode Island $50,020
$62,400
$-12,380
South Carolina $39,770
$65,010
$-25,240
South Dakota $40,030
$52,730
$-12,700
Tennessee $38,770
$61,600
$-22,830
Texas $44,460
$75,960
$-31,500
Utah $43,210
$60,880
$-17,670
Vermont $41,790
$66,630
$-24,840
Virginia $43,820
$65,840
$-22,020
Washington $49,070
$67,470
$-18,400
West Virginia $40,800
$60,010
$-19,210
Wisconsin $44,880
$61,730
$-16,850
Wyoming $45,790
$58,940
$-13,150

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Medical Equipment Preparers or Physical Therapist Assistants?
On average across all states, a Physical Therapist Assistants earns more than a Medical Equipment Preparers. The national median salary difference is $20,332 (46.6%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Medical Equipment Preparers vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Equipment Preparers is $43,604 per year, compared to $63,937 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Equipment Preparers or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Physical Therapist Assistants. BLS reports approximately 66,810 Medical Equipment Preparers positions and 103,990 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Medical Equipment Preparers or Physical Therapist Assistants?
Both Medical Equipment Preparers 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.