National Salary Overview
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$67,076
Average (Mean)
$66,841
Employed Nationwide
112,400
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $28,362 more (73.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$67,076
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$66,841
$39,422
Total Employment
112,400
126,190
States with Higher Pay
51
0
Salary by State: Physical Therapist Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 51 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 0.
| State | Physical Therapist Assistants | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,430 | $35,800 | +$25,630 | ||
| Alaska | $77,640 | $36,490 | +$41,150 | ||
| Arizona | $64,650 | $38,250 | +$26,400 | ||
| Arkansas | $64,520 | $34,570 | +$29,950 | ||
| California | $83,110 | $46,260 | +$36,850 | ||
| Colorado | $64,810 | $38,900 | +$25,910 | ||
| Connecticut | $75,880 | $44,250 | +$31,630 | ||
| Delaware | $74,610 | $38,610 | +$36,000 | ||
| District of Columbia | $63,400 | $49,080 | +$14,320 | ||
| Florida | $72,530 | $37,830 | +$34,700 | ||
| Georgia | $72,800 | $35,850 | +$36,950 | ||
| Hawaii | $67,510 | $44,070 | +$23,440 | ||
| Idaho | $61,020 | $37,530 | +$23,490 | ||
| Illinois | $65,240 | $37,480 | +$27,760 | ||
| Indiana | $65,280 | $36,420 | +$28,860 | ||
| Iowa | $61,030 | $35,720 | +$25,310 | ||
| Kansas | $64,500 | $35,680 | +$28,820 | ||
| Kentucky | $61,480 | $34,140 | +$27,340 | ||
| Louisiana | $65,370 | $30,480 | +$34,890 | ||
| Maine | $66,250 | $45,510 | +$20,740 | ||
| Maryland | $77,670 | $44,770 | +$32,900 | ||
| Massachusetts | $79,460 | $46,670 | +$32,790 | ||
| Michigan | $61,670 | $37,960 | +$23,710 | ||
| Minnesota | $66,770 | $45,280 | +$21,490 | ||
| Mississippi | $61,770 | $30,360 | +$31,410 | ||
| Missouri | $63,770 | $36,660 | +$27,110 | ||
| Montana | $62,650 | $38,340 | +$24,310 | ||
| Nebraska | $61,370 | $36,100 | +$25,270 | ||
| Nevada | $75,520 | $36,920 | +$38,600 | ||
| New Hampshire | $71,440 | $36,910 | +$34,530 | ||
| New Jersey | $78,440 | $46,160 | +$32,280 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,280 | $37,500 | +$24,780 | ||
| New York | $64,100 | $44,750 | +$19,350 | ||
| North Carolina | $67,540 | $37,070 | +$30,470 | ||
| North Dakota | $63,520 | $37,160 | +$26,360 | ||
| Ohio | $63,820 | $36,340 | +$27,480 | ||
| Oklahoma | $59,480 | $34,850 | +$24,630 | ||
| Oregon | $73,180 | $44,370 | +$28,810 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $62,580 | $37,140 | +$25,440 | ||
| Rhode Island | $68,640 | $49,770 | +$18,870 | ||
| South Carolina | $70,500 | $36,980 | +$33,520 | ||
| South Dakota | $49,310 | $34,700 | +$14,610 | ||
| Tennessee | $62,500 | $36,320 | +$26,180 | ||
| Texas | $78,000 | $34,850 | +$43,150 | ||
| Utah | $61,980 | $37,560 | +$24,420 | ||
| Vermont | $71,600 | $37,290 | +$34,310 | ||
| Virginia | $73,760 | $37,450 | +$36,310 | ||
| Washington | $66,450 | $44,150 | +$22,300 | ||
| West Virginia | $60,430 | $32,350 | +$28,080 | ||
| Wisconsin | $64,080 | $36,850 | +$27,230 | ||
| Wyoming | $63,550 | $37,880 | +$25,670 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Physical Therapist Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Physical Therapist Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Physical Therapist Assistants earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $28,362 (73.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Physical Therapist Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Physical Therapist Assistants is $67,076 per year, compared to $38,713 for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Physical Therapist Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. BLS reports approximately 112,400 Physical Therapist Assistants positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Physical Therapist Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Physical Therapist Assistants and Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers 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.