They’re both important branches of therapy, but what are the differences between occupational therapy and physical therapy? Generally speaking, both types of therapists provide rehabilitative care to patients with injuries or disabilities, but they’re actually quite different. Even the words “occupational” and “physical” provide insight into the differences. “Occupation” means an engaging activity whereas “physical” means pertaining to the body. Below, we have provided an overview of how OT vs PT is different in terms of job duties and skills, education, and salary. It’s time to diagnose those differences!
OT vs PT Differences
General Differences
Occupational therapy focuses on a person’s ability to perform “activities of daily living.” The main goal of an occupational therapist is to ensure that their client is able to perform daily tasks as easily as possible. OTs generally assist patients through long-term problems and obstacles. They are concerned with the patient’s entire body rather than a specific area. Physical Therapy focuses on a specific injury or issue. A physical therapist’s goal is to rehabilitate a patient. PTs also focus on managing pain from ongoing conditions. They also focus on injury prevention and pain prevention.
Job Responsibilities and Skills
OT vs PT skills are very similar. Both positions are well-versed in each other’s skillsets. However, the main differences in terms of the actual job are the job duties. Occupational therapists focus on the patient as a whole. They take both mental health and physical health into account. OT job duties include designing exercises for a patient to retain control of their daily lives. They also support patients with cognitive issues and give them ways to adapt to their new lives. PT job responsibilities are more focused on individual patient plans. They focus on a patient’s strength levels and the specific exercises and treatments for whatever area of the body has an issue. Physical therapists also design specific programs for their patients to carry out at home.
Education and Licensing
Both OTs and PTs usually hold at least a master’s degree and sometimes a doctorate. There is an increased expectation for occupational therapists and physical therapists to obtain doctorates. These degrees take around three years to complete. Doctorates are focused both on academic enrichment and clinical training. Occupational therapists and physical therapists must hold licenses to practice. Licenses vary by state, but you must sit for an exam to be licensed. There are also new ways for physical therapists to transfer their licenses to different states, such as the PT compact.
Salary and Job Outlook
OT vs PT salary is not very different. Both annual salaries can range depending on where you practice and what kind of practice it is. Travel occupational therapists and travel physical therapists earn different salaries than OTs and PTs who work at one facility. OTs and PTs make around $70,000 to $80,000 annually. Both fields are expected to have high growth rates in the next few years. The growth rates are around 20-30%, which is much higher than the average national growth rate for other occupations.
Now you know the key differences of OT vs PT! The specialties may seem very similar on a surface level, but their job duties and responsibilities are quite different. If you’re interested in a travel career as a physical therapist or occupational therapist, be sure to browse open positions and fill out an online application. Apply today!
