Physical Therapist vs Psychologist
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: related jobs with a real gap between them. Posted pay favors the psychologist by about $14k at the midpoint.
The short answer
On pay, psychologists come out ahead by about $14k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $77k–$135k against $74k–$110k for physical therapists. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
On skills, they are related jobs with a real gap between them. There is a shared core, and then each side asks for things the other rarely does. 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.
Physical Therapist
physical therapist jobs · physical therapist salary · physical therapist career guide · careers for physical therapists
Psychologist
psychologist jobs · psychologist salary · psychologist career guide · careers for psychologists
Switching, both directions
The direction matters: psychologist → physical therapist reads 46% ready, the reverse only 15%. Skill overlap is not symmetric.
Physical Therapist → Psychologist
What psychologist postings ask for that physical therapist profiles usually lack: Mental Health, Case Management, Supply Chain, Clinical Research.
Psychologist → Physical Therapist
What physical therapist postings ask for that psychologist profiles usually lack: Rehabilitation, Operations, Manual Therapy.
Open physical therapist roles
- Supervisory Physical Therapist at Veterans Health AdministrationIndianapolis, Indiana$118k–$153kTodayApply
Physiotherapeut 60–100 % Gestalte Therapie mit Herz, Fachwissen und Vielfalt at Fit for CareRümlang, Zürich, SwitzerlandTodayApply- Physiotherapeutin / Physioterapeut (80-100%)- Region ZH at Fit for CareRümlang, Zürich, SwitzerlandTodayApply
- Dipl. Physiotherpeutin/Physiotherapeut (a) 40 - 100% at Hirslanden Klinik StephanshornSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, SwitzerlandTodayApply
Open psychologist roles
- SUPERVISORY PSYCHOLOGIST/SCIENTIST/PHYSIOLOGIST/ENGINEER/CHEMIST at Naval Air Systems CommandPatuxent River, Maryland$144k–$197kTodayApply
- Staff Psychologist- Recruitment/Relocation Incentive/EDRP Authorized at Veterans Health AdministrationDallas, Texas$101k–$187kTodayApply
- CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST at Bureau of Naval PersonnelAnnapolis, Maryland$122k–$158kTodayApply
- Clinical Psychologist at Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the ArmyArlington County, Virginia$122k–$158kTodayApply
See the whole board for both
205 open roles across the two.
Related comparisons
- Psychologist vs Social Worker90% peak overlap
- Dietitian vs Psychologist76% peak overlap
- Genetic Counselor vs Psychologist73% peak overlap
- Psychologist vs Therapist / Counselor71% peak overlap
- Physician vs Psychologist69% peak overlap
- Nurse Practitioner vs Psychologist67% peak overlap
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, physical therapist or psychologist?
On pay, psychologists come out ahead by about $14k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $77k–$135k against $74k–$110k for physical therapists. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates. By seniority and country: physical therapist salary and psychologist salary.
Are physical therapist and psychologist the same job?
On skills, they are related jobs with a real gap between them. There is a shared core, and then each side asks for things the other rarely does.
Can a physical therapist become a psychologist?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical physical therapist profile covers 15% of what psychologist postings ask for. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a psychologist become a physical therapist?
Going the other way, a typical psychologist profile covers 46% of what physical therapist postings ask for. The two directions are not symmetric: psychologist to physical therapist is the easier move, 46% against 15%.
How many physical therapist and psychologist jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 122 physical therapist openings and 83 psychologist openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most physical therapists at the moment: Physio Swiss (43), MediPersonal (7), Veterans Health Administration (6). For psychologists: Veterans Health Administration (35), Military Treatment Facilities under DHA (5), Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System (4).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.