Why do physical therapist make more then....

Nurses General Nursing

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R.N.'s.??

I am a nursing student and my husband is a physical therapist.

My husband makes $35 an hour, which is not a "rich" income, but decent pay.

My husband has a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in exercise physiology, along with three additional years of physical therapy school. His level of education along with his experience and the current "market value" of the profession in general all play a factor in my husband's rate of pay (and let's not forget that pay can vary from state-to-state).

Someone mentioned that PT is a male dominated profession. I found that to be an interesting comment because when my husband went to PT school back in 1993, males were in the minority both in his class of 60 students and in the profession in general. All of his physical therapy instructors were female. When my husband attends continuing education courses, the courses usually have more female physical therapists than male.

Advanced practice nurses often make the same amount of money as or more money than physical therapists.

LeslieNicole

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I agree. We put up with the sorry wages and deal with the crap most professions wouldn't dream of doing. Being in a female dominated profession has a lot to do why things are the way they are. Women had to fight for everything in this country right down to the use of birth control. It is no wonder everyone around us is making boo koo bucks.

35$ may not be "rich" wage for some but I know there are a lot of nurses wish they were making that kind of money. Depending where you live it isn't rich like California, the average home running 220k an average home at that.

It is pretty sad but true. I don't envy anyone that decides to go into medicine other than nursing that makes more money. Even a perfusionist do pretty good! Until nurses stick together and keep pursuing something will have to give.

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Specializes in Pediatric Rehabilitation.

I have to agree with Leslee. We have about 15 PT's at our hospital..one of them is male, the rest female. I have ALWAYS thought PT was also female dominated.

My mom and sister are dental hygenist and I wouldn't want either of their jobs. They work hard and have poor benefits and no retirement, unless they are affiliated with the gov't or a major university.

PT's make more because they are REQUIRED to have at least a BS. A PT assistant, doesn't make what most nurses make and they have the same education as an ADN. I love our PT's and think they deserve every dime they make.

Why do we have to compare our pay to that of other "professions"? It's like comparing apples to oranges. The bottom line is that we are underpaid and as long as we accept the current conditions, nothing will change.

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I have a SIL who works as a PT aid, she is an LPN but works as an aid for a Hospital PT department, makes more than a lot of RN's that I know and she has no nursing duties. She works 4-10 hour days, has Fridays off, no weekends or holidays. :cool:

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If you read on the internet PT is a female dominated career field.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

"quasi" nurse professionals such as medical technicians, nurses aids, and LPN's.

I am trying to not take offense to being a quasi nurse

me the licensed practical NURSE,, yup that is what is says on my license

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PT is a male dominated profession; nursing is a female dominated profession. Enuf said.

It is? Not from what I've seen! I'd say it's 50/50 men and women.

Physical therapy is a 5-year bachelor's degree, and most of them have master's or even doctorate degrees nowadays.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
"quasi" nurse professionals such as medical technicians, nurses aids, and LPN's.

I am trying to not take offense to being a quasi nurse

me the licensed practical NURSE,, yup that is what is says on my license

Since the post regarding the "quasi" nurse professionals was written back in 2002, it makes no sense to respond or get offended by it. The person who wrote the post hasn't been on these forums in a very long time, and this thread is really old.
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It's funny to see those posts from 2002....and how things have changed! :)

PT make more money than nurses because the entry level to practice is a Master's degree (MPT). In fact, many schools are heading for doctoral level entry to practice. Their higher salaries reflect their higher level of education. PTs that work at my local hospital make a starting wage of $42-$53/hr......I'll bet that's on par with advanced practice nurses.

PTAs (Physical Therapy Assistants) hold an Associates degree and earn a starting wage of $22-$26, a little lower than the typical bedside RN in my area but very comparable.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.
Since the post regarding the "quasi" nurse professionals was written back in 2002, it makes no sense to respond or get offended by it. The person who wrote the post hasn't been on these forums in a very long time, and this thread is really old.

Yes that is very true Commuter, however people are still reading the thread today.

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..PT's make more because they go to school for 6+ years, RN's go for 2-4 years.

In addition, PT's study science courses in their undergrad years including stints in organic chemistry and biochemistry for most.

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I have to agree with Leslee. We have about 15 PT's at our hospital..one of them is male, the rest female. I have ALWAYS thought PT was also female dominated.

My mom and sister are dental hygenist and I wouldn't want either of their jobs. They work hard and have poor benefits and no retirement, unless they are affiliated with the gov't or a major university.

PT's make more because they are REQUIRED to have at least a BS.

Why do we have to compare our pay to that of other "professions"? It's A PT assistant, doesn't make what most nurses make and they have the same education as an ADN. I love our PT's and think they deserve every dime they make. like comparing apples to oranges. The bottom line is that we are underpaid and as long as we accept the current conditions, nothing will change.

I bet to differ. My sister has a 2 yr LPTA and I have a BSN. At any given facility, she has always made a minimum of $15+ an hour than me.

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