Physical Therapist vs Veterinarian: which pays more?
Veterinarians earn about $26,000 more per year than physical therapists — roughly 26% higher at the national median. Here is how the two careers compare on pay, training, and outlook.
Physical Therapist
$99,000
median per year
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain, often after surgery or injury.
Full physical therapist salary data →Veterinarian
$125,000
median per year
Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals.
Full veterinarian salary data →Side-by-side breakdown
| Metric | Physical Therapist | Veterinarian |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $99,000 | $125,000 |
| Median hourly pay | $48 | $60 |
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $130,000 | $200,000 |
| Education required | Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and state licensure. | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and state license. |
| Job outlook | 14% growth through 2033 — much faster than average. | 19% growth through 2033 — pet ownership continues to climb. |
Pay by state
| State | Physical Therapist | Veterinarian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $110,000 | $147,500 | −$37,500 for Veterinarian |
| New Jersey | $106,000 | $136,500 | −$30,500 for Veterinarian |
| New York | $102,000 | $142,500 | −$40,500 for Veterinarian |
| Texas | $98,000 | $121,500 | −$23,500 for Veterinarian |
| Illinois | $96,000 | $127,500 | −$31,500 for Veterinarian |
| Pennsylvania | $94,000 | $122,500 | −$28,500 for Veterinarian |
| Florida | $92,000 | $115,000 | −$23,000 for Veterinarian |
| Ohio | $90,000 | $117,500 | −$27,500 for Veterinarian |
| Michigan | $88,000 | $119,000 | −$31,000 for Veterinarian |
Which career should you choose?
Pay is only one part of the decision. Veterinarians earn more on paper, but doctor of veterinary medicine (dvm) and state license. takes longer and costs more than doctor of physical therapy (dpt) degree and state licensure.. If you want to start earning sooner, physical therapist is usually the faster route. If long-term earning ceiling matters most, veterinarian tops out at $200,000 versus $130,000.
Job security also differs: physical therapist outlook is "14% growth through 2033 — much faster than average." while veterinarian outlook is "19% growth through 2033 — pet ownership continues to climb."