Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy

Key Information:

Physical therapy focuses on restoring movement, while occupational therapy focuses on helping people perform everyday tasks and adapt to life challenges.
PT requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), while OT is transitioning toward the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) as the new entry-level standard by 2027.
Both careers offer strong job growth and high demand through 2026, with PTs earning around $101,020 annually and OTs earning about $98,340.
PT and OT often work together, but the best career choice depends on whether someone prefers movement-focused rehabilitation (PT) or functional, everyday-life problem-solving (OT).

When people explore careers in rehabilitation, they often wonder what distinguishes occupational therapy from physical therapy. While both roles focus on helping patients improve their quality of life, they are not the same.

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PT focuses on mobility and movement recovery. On the other hand, OT focuses on helping people perform daily tasks and adapt to life challenges.

Currently, the United States employs about 258,200 physical therapists and 143,300 occupational therapists. These numbers show just how important these professionals are to the healthcare system.

Before choosing which career path to pursue, you should know about the differences between these two fields. This article compares physical therapy vs occupational therapy. This will explain what each career involves, how demand and salaries compare in 2026, and which personal strengths tend to fit each role best. This aims to help students, career changers, and healthcare workers make a confident choice.

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Education Paths (DPT vs. OTD)

The key difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy lies in their education and training requirements.

Physical Therapy Education (DPT Requirements)

Aspiring physical therapists must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. These programs are rigorous and designed to prepare students to understand three things:

How the human body moves
How injuries impact movement
How to apply evidence-based treatments

To get into a DPT program, students usually need:

A bachelor’s degree (often with prerequisite courses like anatomy, chemistry, physics, and biology)
A competitive GPA (and sometimes a GRE score)
Observation or volunteer hours in physical therapy settings

DPT programs typically take about 3 years after undergraduate study. During that time, students take classes such as biomechanics, neuroscience, and therapeutic exercise. They also complete clinical rotations in real health care settings to gain hands-on experience working with patients.

After graduating, DPTs must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and obtain state licensure before practicing.

Costs vary by school, but physical therapy education is generally seen as considerable due to the doctoral-level training and extensive clinical hours.

Public, in‑state: $70,000–$90,000 total
Public, out‑of‑state/mid-range: $80,000–$120,000
Private schools: $130,000–$160,000+

These figures usually don’t include living expenses, books, or travel for clinical rotations, which can add thousands more.

Occupational Therapy Education (OTD or MOT Requirements)

Occupational therapy education also starts with a bachelor’s degree and then continues into graduate training. Historically, many OTs earned a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). However, the field is moving toward the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) as the new entry-level standard by 2027 in the U.S.

Here’s what OT education looks like:

A bachelor’s degree with prerequisite courses
Admission to an accredited MOT or OTD program
Clinical placements and supervised fieldwork (Level I/II)

MOT programs typically take about 2–3 years, while OTD programs can take similar or slightly longer. It depends on whether students enter with or without a prior degree.

The OTD often includes additional training in leadership, advocacy, or research, alongside clinical work. These topics can give graduates broader career opportunities and the possibility of higher roles.

After completing an MOT or OTD, students must pass the NBCOT board exam and meet state licensure requirements to practice.

DPT vs OTD: Key Differences

DPT education is standardized as a doctoral degree with a strong emphasis on clinical practice and movement science.
OTD education builds skills in functional adaptation, often including leadership or research components beyond clinical techniques.

Here’s a quick table comparison of DPT vs OTD education requirements.

Program	Degree Required	Length	Clinical Hours	Licensure Exam	Best For
Physical Therapy	Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)	3 years graduate + bachelor’s	High (clinical rotations)	NPTE + state license	Movement recovery focus
Occupational Therapy	Master (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)	2.5–3 years graduate + bachelor’s	Moderate to High	NBCOT + state license	Daily living and adaptation focus

Job Roles & Work Settings

Understanding the daily work of PTs and OTs can help someone see which career feels like a better fit. Here’s a PT vs OT career comparison.

Physical Therapist Job Duties

Physical therapists are movement specialists. They help people regain strength, mobility, and function after an injury, surgery, illness, or long-term health condition. Common duties include:

Assessing movement limitations
Designing exercise programs
Using manual therapy (hands-on techniques)
Training patients in gait and movement strategies

One way to think about PT is that the focus is restoring the body’s ability to move efficiently and without pain.

Occupational Therapist Job Duties

Occupational therapists take a broader approach that includes thoughts, emotions, and the context of daily life. OTs help individuals do the tasks that matter most — like eating, dressing, bathing, and returning to work or school. They may:

Assess daily living challenges
Recommend adaptive tools and home modifications
Create routines that support independence
Focus on cognitive and sensory challenges as well as physical needs

Unlike PTs, OTs drive toward helping people adapt their environments and habits to succeed in real-world tasks.

Work Settings for PTs

Physical therapists work in many places, including:

Outpatient orthopedic clinics
Hospitals
Sports and athletic facilities
Home health care
Skilled nursing facilities

They often work on movement performance, pain reduction, and recovery from physical trauma.

Work Settings for OTs

Occupational therapists may work in:

Schools
Rehabilitation hospitals
Pediatric clinics
Long-term care facilities
Community health centers

OTs spend a lot of time helping people adapt to everyday challenges across the lifespan, from children with sensory disorders to adults recovering from stroke.

Overlap & Collaboration

The main goals of PTs and OTs overlap; they both aim to help someone live life more fully. However, PT focuses on movement and strength while OT focuses on function and adaptation. Yet, they often work together, especially in settings like stroke rehabilitation, sports injury care, and geriatric support.

Salaries & Demand in 2026

Both careers are strong choices based on demand and salary.

Physical Therapist Salary & Outlook

According to the latest BLS data, the median annual wage for physical therapists was about $101,020 in 2024, with many jobs paying even more depending on the setting and experience. The physical therapy job outlook 2026 is expected to grow 11%, with roughly 13,200 openings each year.

This strong demand reflects the aging population and the rising need for rehabilitation from injuries and chronic conditions.

Occupational Therapist Salary & Outlook

Occupational therapists also enjoy a strong outlook, with wage data showing median earnings near $98,340 per year. The occupational therapy job outlook 2026 is projected to grow by about 14% until 2034 due to high demand across healthcare and schools.

PT vs OT Salary Comparison Table

Here’s a quick overview of physical therapist vs occupational therapist salary and job outlook.

Role	Median Pay (2024)	Highest-Paying Settings	Projected Growth (2024–34)	Compensation Factors
Physical Therapist	$101,020	Home health, Nursing care facilities (SNFs)	11%	Specialty credentials (e.g., OCS, SCS), location, and setting
Occupational Therapist	$98,340	Nursing care facilities (SNFs), Home health	14%	Population served, experience, and certifications (e.g., Hand Therapy)

Demand Drivers for Both Careers

Both PTs and OTs are in high demand, mostly because:

The population is aging
More people live with chronic disease
There’s a continued focus on non-drug pain management
Healthcare systems value function, mobility, and independence

These trends point toward long-term job security for both professions.

Which Career Fits Your Personality?

Choosing between physical therapy vs occupational therapy isn’t only about pay and growth. It’s also about what kind of daily work feels satisfying.

Choose Physical Therapy If You…

Enjoy biomechanics and movement science.
Like structured goals with measurable progress.
Want to work on strength, mobility, and athletic performance.

This is the best therapy career path in healthcare for those who enjoy seeing physical improvements quickly and working closely with movement goals.

Choose Occupational Therapy If You…

Enjoy psychology, creativity, and problem-solving.
Prefer helping people adapt to environments.
Like working with diverse challenges — from school tasks to life skills

OT tends to attract people who want to focus on holistic independence.

Soft Skills That Predict PT Success

To thrive in PT, good soft skills include:

Physical stamina
Analytical problem-solving
Clear communication and motivation

Soft Skills That Predict OT Success

Strong OT practitioners often have:

Creativity and flexibility
Deep patience and empathy
The ability to tailor solutions to unique daily challenges

Lifestyle Differences (Work Hours, Stress Levels, Autonomy)

The lifestyles between occupational therapy vs physical therapy jobs are also different. Here’s what to consider.

PT: more physically demanding; more orthopedic + sports cases.
OT: more diverse caseloads; more collaboration with teachers + caregivers.

Conclusion

PT vs OT, which is better? Neither physical therapy (PT) nor occupational therapy (OT) is “better” overall. It depends on a person’s needs and goals.

They are both gratifying healthcare careers with strong job prospects, solid salaries, and deep opportunities to help others.

PT tends to emphasize mobility and strength.
OT focuses on daily living as well as adaptation.

Choosing between physical therapy vs occupational therapy depends on:

education goals
personality fit
passion for either movement science or functional adaptation

The best way to make the right decision is to research accredited programs and shadow both PTs and OTs.

Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy: Choosing the Best Career Path