National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$67,076
Average (Mean)
$66,841
Employed Nationwide
112,400
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $20,443 more (43.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,632
$67,076
Average (Mean) Salary
$48,352
$66,841
Total Employment
77,410
112,400
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 | $35,800 | $61,430 | $-25,630 | ||
| Alaska | $49,920 | $77,640 | $-27,720 | ||
| Arizona | $46,790 | $64,650 | $-17,860 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,100 | $64,520 | $-26,420 | ||
| California | $61,370 | $83,110 | $-21,740 | ||
| Colorado | $47,700 | $64,810 | $-17,110 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,980 | $75,880 | $-27,900 | ||
| Delaware | $53,300 | $74,610 | $-21,310 | ||
| District of Columbia | $48,670 | $63,400 | $-14,730 | ||
| Florida | $45,890 | $72,530 | $-26,640 | ||
| Georgia | $47,850 | $72,800 | $-24,950 | ||
| Hawaii | $51,630 | $67,510 | $-15,880 | ||
| Idaho | $46,450 | $61,020 | $-14,570 | ||
| Illinois | $48,050 | $65,240 | $-17,190 | ||
| Indiana | $45,210 | $65,280 | $-20,070 | ||
| Iowa | $39,930 | $61,030 | $-21,100 | ||
| Kansas | $45,280 | $64,500 | $-19,220 | ||
| Kentucky | $46,880 | $61,480 | $-14,600 | ||
| Louisiana | $35,960 | $65,370 | $-29,410 | ||
| Maine | $46,860 | $66,250 | $-19,390 | ||
| Maryland | $48,680 | $77,670 | $-28,990 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,580 | $79,460 | $-20,880 | ||
| Michigan | $45,670 | $61,670 | $-16,000 | ||
| Minnesota | $50,070 | $66,770 | $-16,700 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,160 | $61,770 | $-26,610 | ||
| Missouri | $43,480 | $63,770 | $-20,290 | ||
| Montana | $44,670 | $62,650 | $-17,980 | ||
| Nebraska | $41,480 | $61,370 | $-19,890 | ||
| Nevada | $46,640 | $75,520 | $-28,880 | ||
| New Hampshire | $48,900 | $71,440 | $-22,540 | ||
| New Jersey | $50,280 | $78,440 | $-28,160 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,720 | $62,280 | $-25,560 | ||
| New York | $57,320 | $64,100 | $-6,780 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,130 | $67,540 | $-22,410 | ||
| North Dakota | $38,910 | $63,520 | $-24,610 | ||
| Ohio | $45,540 | $63,820 | $-18,280 | ||
| Oklahoma | $43,460 | $59,480 | $-16,020 | ||
| Oregon | $48,890 | $73,180 | $-24,290 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $45,820 | $62,580 | $-16,760 | ||
| Rhode Island | $51,460 | $68,640 | $-17,180 | ||
| South Carolina | $42,510 | $70,500 | $-27,990 | ||
| South Dakota | $42,330 | $49,310 | $-6,980 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,990 | $62,500 | $-15,510 | ||
| Texas | $46,970 | $78,000 | $-31,030 | ||
| Utah | $47,980 | $61,980 | $-14,000 | ||
| Vermont | $48,990 | $71,600 | $-22,610 | ||
| Virginia | $46,580 | $73,760 | $-27,180 | ||
| Washington | $58,830 | $66,450 | $-7,620 | ||
| West Virginia | $44,830 | $60,430 | $-15,600 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,570 | $64,080 | $-16,510 | ||
| Wyoming | $48,210 | $63,550 | $-15,340 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical Equipment Preparers vs Physical Therapist Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $20,443 (43.8%) based on 2025 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 $46,632 per year, compared to $67,076 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2025 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 77,410 Medical Equipment Preparers positions and 112,400 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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