Do athletic trainers make more money than physical therapists?
James Stevens
Updated on May 03, 2026
Physical Therapy Vs Athletic Trainer Salary Athletic trainers earned less than physical therapists, with mean wages of $48,440 per year, as of May 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest earning 10 percent received over $73,470, and the lowest paid made under $31,300 yearly.
How do you become a physical therapist for a professional sports team?
How to become a sports physical therapist
- Complete your undergraduate degree.
- Earn your graduate degree in physical therapy.
- Obtain a license as a physical therapist.
- Gain experience in sports medicine.
- Get certified in emergency medical care and CPR.
- Take the certification exam for sports physical therapy.
Do physical therapists work in the NBA?
#6: NBA Physical Therapist Like the athletic trainer, an NBA physical therapist is important in helping athletes return from injury. Non-athletes can be physical therapists despite the misconceptions. Many NBA teams hire full-time therapists who work in tandem with athletic trainers and team physicians.
What field of physical therapy makes the most money?
According to PayScale.com, home health, long-term care, home care, and geriatric facilities are the highest paying PT areas.
Can a physical therapist work as an athletic trainer?
“They are two separate degrees and licenses, legally a PT can’t represent himself as an athletic trainer and vice versa,” Armstrong says. “The education (for PTs) is less on the emergency management side and doing more strictly on the rehab side.”
How much do athletic trainers with a masters make?
According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for an Athletic Trainer with a Master’s Degree or MBA is $49,118 – $51,684.
Are there physical therapists in the NFL?
Dr. Jon Hernandez is the physical therapist for the NFL Los Angeles Rams. He previously worked for the Buffalo Bills and is a Trojan Alumni where he completed his DPT education and sports residency training.
Who is the physical therapist for the LA Lakers?
Dr. Judy Seto
Dr. Judy Seto spoke with students from the Mount’s DPT program, sharing her journey from the moment she decided to become a physical therapist to her current position as head physical therapist for the Los Angeles Lakers.
How long does it take to become a sports physical therapist?
How To Become a Sports Physical Therapist If your goal is to achieve the highest designation possible in sports therapy in order to work with high level and even professional athletes, this is the path to get there: Complete 4 Years of Undergraduate Studies Complete a 3 Year Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Can you be a physical therapist for a major league sports team?
The idea of being a physical therapist for a major league sports team usually comes to mind when you think of the term ‘sports PT’. However, a sports PT specialist may practice in your hometown therapy clinic and may never actually work on a sports team.
What types of injuries can a sports physical therapist treat?
A sports physical therapist can provide treatment for any type of musculoskeletal injury as well as many other conditions. Here are some of the most common injuries a sports physical therapist may see in the clinic. Sports PTs work closely with patients in evaluating and treating patients who have suffered from a concussion.
Is a sports physical therapist the same as a sports medicine doctor?
While it may sound similar in nature to sports medicine, the field of sports physical therapy is not exactly the same as a sports medicine physician. Both a sports PT and a sports medicine physician may work together to treat the same patients, but the daily job tasks are quite different.
