Occupational Therapist vs Physical Therapist
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: mostly different jobs wearing similar names. Posted pay favors the physical therapist by about $23k at the midpoint.
The short answer
On pay, physical therapists come out ahead by about $23k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $93k–$120k against $64k–$103k for occupational therapists. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The readiness numbers further down say how far a typical profile on each side already reaches into the other, and which direction is the easier move.
Occupational Therapist
occupational therapist jobs · careers for occupational therapists
Physical Therapist
physical therapist jobs · physical therapist salary · physical therapist career guide · careers for physical therapists
The overlap, measured
Switching, both directions
Occupational Therapist → Physical Therapist
DPT degree + state PT license (NPTE) required
Transition estimate: 3+ yr incl. license.
What physical therapist postings ask for that occupational therapist profiles usually lack: Brewing, Recruiting.
Physical Therapist → Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapy degree and state licence (NBCOT in the US)
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo + license.
What occupational therapist postings ask for that physical therapist profiles usually lack: Mental Health, Financial Modeling, Clinical Skills, Scheduling.
Open occupational therapist roles
- Ergotherapeut in einer modernen Klinik (w/m/d) at Kerstin Odenthal | HR BeraterinAarau, Aargau, Switzerland1d agoApply
- Ergotherapeut (w/m/d) Rehabilitation und Handtherapie at Eduard Kozyrev | HR BeraterAarau, Aargau, Switzerland1d agoApply
- Ergotherapeut (w/m/d) at Eduard Kozyrev | HR BeraterSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland1d agoApply
- Ergotherapeut'in at Katrijn Lucrèce H KumpenSteffisburg, Bern, Switzerland1d agoApply
Open physical therapist roles
Physiotherapeut 60–100 % Gestalte Therapie mit Herz, Fachwissen und Vielfalt at Fit for CareRümlang, Zürich, Switzerland1d agoApply- Physiotherapeutin / Physioterapeut (80-100%)- Region ZH at Fit for CareRümlang, Zürich, Switzerland1d agoApply
- Dipl. Physiotherpeutin/Physiotherapeut (a) 40 - 100% at Hirslanden Klinik StephanshornSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland1d agoApply
- Physiotherapeutin im Pflegeheim mit flexiblen Einsätzen (w/m/d) 40-50% at Private Care AGBaden, Aargau, Switzerland · Remote1d agoApply
See the whole board for both
272 open roles across the two.
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Which one do your skills favor?
Run the instrument with your own skills and both numbers recompute for you. Free.
Quick answers
Which pays more, occupational therapist or physical therapist?
On pay, physical therapists come out ahead by about $23k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $93k–$120k against $64k–$103k for occupational therapists. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
Are occupational therapist and physical therapist the same job?
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The skills both sets of postings want most are Rehabilitation, Treatment Planning, Patient Care, Training & Facilitation.
Can an occupational therapist become a physical therapist?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical occupational therapist profile covers 32% of what physical therapist postings ask for. One thing to settle first: dpt degree + state pt license (npte) required. Skill overlap does not shorten a credential. Our estimate for the move is 3+ yr incl. license. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a physical therapist become an occupational therapist?
Going the other way, a typical physical therapist profile covers 32% of what occupational therapist postings ask for. Keep in mind: occupational therapy degree and state licence (nbcot in the us). Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo + license.
How many occupational therapist and physical therapist jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 65 occupational therapist openings and 207 physical therapist openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most occupational therapists at the moment: Jobup (11), Veterans Health Administration (6), Fondation de La Côte (6). For physical therapists: Physio Swiss (89), Veterans Health Administration (10), MediPersonal (8).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.