Physical Therapist vs Social Worker
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: mostly different jobs wearing similar names. Posted pay favors the physical therapist by about $17k at the midpoint.
The short answer
On pay, physical therapists come out ahead by about $17k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $74k–$110k against $47k–$104k for social workers. 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.
Physical Therapist
physical therapist jobs · physical therapist salary · physical therapist career guide · careers for physical therapists
Social Worker
social worker jobs · social worker salary · social worker career guide · careers for social workers
The overlap, measured
Switching, both directions
Physical Therapist → Social Worker
State license required for clinical roles (LCSW)
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo.
What social worker postings ask for that physical therapist profiles usually lack: Mental Health, Case Management, Design Systems, Medical Terminology.
Social Worker → Physical Therapist
DPT degree + state PT license (NPTE) required
Transition estimate: 3+ yr incl. license.
What physical therapist postings ask for that social worker profiles usually lack: Rehabilitation, Scheduling, 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 social worker roles
Field Nurse Case Manager (Ontario) at McKessonMississauga, CanadaTodayApply
SOCIAL WORKER (FAMILY ADVOCACY) at Air Combat CommandNellis AFB, Nevada$109k–$141kTodayApply- Supervisory Social Worker Program Coordinator (Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator) at Veterans Health AdministrationTuscaloosa, Alabama$119k–$154kTodayApply
Lead Social Worker at Indian Health ServiceRed Lake, Minnesota$97k–$126kTodayApply
See the whole board for both
440 open roles across the two.
Related comparisons
- Social Worker vs Therapist / Counselor95% peak overlap
- Psychologist vs Social Worker90% peak overlap
- Dietitian vs Social Worker58% peak overlap
- Medical Assistant vs Physical Therapist51% peak overlap
- Nurse Practitioner vs Physical Therapist50% peak overlap
- Physical Therapist vs Psychologist46% 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 social worker?
On pay, physical therapists come out ahead by about $17k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $74k–$110k against $47k–$104k for social workers. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates. By seniority and country: physical therapist salary and social worker salary.
Are physical therapist and social worker 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 Treatment Planning, Patient Care, Training & Facilitation, Health Education.
Can a physical therapist become a social worker?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical physical therapist profile covers 28% of what social worker postings ask for. One thing to settle first: state license required for clinical roles (lcsw). Skill overlap does not shorten a credential. Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a social worker become a physical therapist?
Going the other way, a typical social worker profile covers 31% of what physical therapist postings ask for. Keep in mind: dpt degree + state pt license (npte) required. Our estimate for the move is 3+ yr incl. license.
How many physical therapist and social worker jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 122 physical therapist openings and 318 social worker 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 social workers: Veterans Health Administration (70), Stadt Zurich (15), Jobup (9).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.