Side by side
| Occupational therapist | Physical therapist | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree needed | Master's in occupational therapy | Doctor of Physical Therapy |
| Length of program | 2 to 3 years | Typically 3 years |
| Before the program | A bachelor's, often with science courses | A bachelor's with prerequisites |
| Qualifying exam | Yes, leads to the OTR title | Yes, the NPTE |
| License | All states | All states |
| Median pay (BLS, May 2025) | $100,330 | $102,760 |
| Median hourly | $48.24 | $49.40 |
| Employed in the U.S. | 162,450 | 267,330 |
| Projected growth, 2025–35 | 14.8% | 11.9% |
| Typical entry education (BLS) | Master's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
Who earns more in your state
Same setting, different goal
A physical therapist might work on a patient's strength and walking after an injury. An occupational therapist looks at how that person manages daily life, such as getting dressed or returning to work. The two often work together.
Training and pay
A PT spends more time in school, since the DPT is a doctorate. Pay is close at the median: $100,330 for OTs and $102,760 for PTs, a difference of $2,430.
Settings that separate them
Offices of other health practitioners are the largest employer for both, with 30% of OTs and 39% of PTs. The difference appears in schools: elementary and secondary schools employ 13% of OTs, at a median of $85,610. Schools do not appear among the top employers of PTs.
Home health is the best-paying large setting for both: $106,300 for OTs and $114,740 for PTs. General hospitals pay $102,920 and $106,890.
A close race by state
PTs lead nationally, but OTs lead in 15 of 51 states. The widest PT advantage is in New Hampshire, at $99,850 against $83,900, and the widest OT advantage in Oregon, at $112,310 against $103,510.
There are about 267,330 PTs and 162,450 OTs. The BLS projects 14.8% growth for OTs and 11.9% for PTs, with about 10,000 and 13,400 openings a year.
Questions people ask
Do OTs or PTs make more?
PTs had a higher national median in May 2025: $102,760, against $100,330 for OTs.
Which degree takes longer?
Usually the PT route, since it requires a doctorate that typically lasts 3 years. OT master's programs usually take 2 to 3 years.
Which job is growing faster?
The BLS projects 14.8% growth for occupational therapists and 11.9% for physical therapists from 2025 to 2035.
Sources
General information, not career advice. Scope of practice and licensing differ by state: confirm them with your state board.