You’ve probably seen both of them on the sidelines, in the gym, or at a rehab clinic, but do you actually know the difference between an athletic trainer and a physical therapist?
Many people use the terms interchangeably, yet these are two distinct healthcare professions with different training, responsibilities, and goals.
Athletic trainers are qualified health care specialists who focus on working with athletes to prevent and manage injuries. Whereas physical therapists are licensed experts who help patients improve the range of motion, regain mobility, and prevent further injury to enhance quality of life.
Both roles matter, but knowing which one you need, or which career path fits your ambitions, starts with understanding what sets them apart. This blog breaks down their education requirements, scope of practice, work settings, and career outlook so you can make informed decisions.
Athletic Trainer vs Physical Therapist: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Athletic Trainer | Physical Therapist |
| Primary Focus | Injury prevention & emergency care | Rehabilitation & recovery |
| Degree Required | Master’s in Athletic Training | Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) |
| Accreditation | CAATE | CAPTE |
| Certification Exam | BOC Exam | NPTE Exam |
| Work Settings | Sports teams, schools, and industrial settings | Clinics, hospitals, nursing facilities |
| Patient Population | Athletes and physically active individuals | Broader population, pediatrics to geriatrics |
| Licensure | Required in most states | Required in all states |
Athletic Training Degree vs Physical Therapy Degree
One of the biggest practical differences between these two professions lies in what it takes to get licensed.
To become a certified athletic trainer, you must graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Today, the professional standard requires a master’s degree in Athletic Training.
After graduating, you must pass the Board of Certification (BOC Exam) to earn your credential, and most states also require licensure to practice.
Most athletic training degree programs are two years long and require a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework for admission. Some programs offer accelerated “3+2” options that combine undergraduate preparation with the professional master’s degree.
To become a physical therapist, you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
DPT programs are three years and require a bachelor’s degree for entry. After graduating, candidates must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, as well as a state licensing exam. Every state requires licensure for physical therapists.
In short, athletic training vs physical therapy comes down to a master’s degree versus a clinical doctorate, with different accrediting bodies, certification exams, and paths to licensure.
Which Is Better for Injuries: Athletic Training vs Physical Therapy?
This is one of the most common questions people have, and the honest answer is dependent on the type and stage of the injury.
Athletic trainers are typically the better choice for:
- Injury prevention and pre-season conditioning
- Sideline and on-field emergency care
- Immediate evaluation and acute injury management
- Return-to-play decisions and clearance protocols
- Sports event coverage and athlete monitoring
Physical therapists are typically the better choice for:
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Long-term recovery and functional restoration
- Mobility and chronic pain management
- Patients with complex medical histories or multiple conditions
- Populations outside the active/sports environment
It’s also worth noting that in many clinical settings, these roles overlap intentionally. An athletic trainer handles the initial evaluation and acute phase of care, while a physical therapist guides the longer rehabilitation process.
The two professions frequently collaborate, which is why understanding both is useful whether you’re the patient or the clinician.
Where Do Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapists Work?
The work environment is another key factor in the difference between physical therapists and athletic trainers.
Athletic trainers are most commonly found in:
- High schools and colleges/universities
- Semi-professional and professional sports organizations
- Industrial and occupational settings (workplace injury prevention)
- Military and performing arts settings
- Outpatient rehabilitation clinics (though billing limitations can affect the scope here)
Physical therapists are most commonly found in:
- Outpatient physical therapy clinics
- Hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Pediatric and geriatric care environments
- Sports medicine and orthopedic clinics
While both can work in clinical environments, physical therapists have broader access to insurance billing, opening up more clinical pathways. Athletic trainers in clinic settings face certain restrictions on billable services depending on the state and payer.
How Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapists Collaborate?
In modern sports medicine and healthcare, athletic trainers and physical therapists rarely work in silos. A strong interdisciplinary team includes both.
Here’s how that collaboration typically looks:
- An athletic trainer responds first at the point of injury, on the sideline, in the training room, or on the field, to assess and stabilize the situation.
- A physical therapist steps in for more complex or longer-term rehabilitation, especially post-surgery or for chronic conditions.
- Both professionals communicate for smooth transitions between acute care and ongoing rehab, keeping return-to-play or return-to-function aligned.
- Together, they contribute to injury prevention programs, movement screenings, and patient-centered care planning.
This kind of interdisciplinary sports medicine care is the standard, and professionals who understand both roles are better positioned to lead these teams.
Is Athletic Training or Physical Therapy Right for You?
Both are rewarding careers in healthcare, the better fit comes down to your goals, interests, and preferred work environment.
According to CAPTE, U.S. physical therapy programs enrolled 39,448 students in 2024–2025, while the number of certified athletic trainers grew by nearly 49% between 2011 and 2021, mentions Athletic Training Data.
Athletic training may be a better fit if you:
- Love being present in sports environments, on the sideline, in the locker room, on the field
- Enjoy fast-paced settings and emergency response
- Want to focus on injury prevention and athlete care
- Are interested in working with industrial or military populations
Physical therapy may be a better fit if you:
- Prefer a structured clinical environment
- Want to work with a broader and more diverse patient population
- Enjoy long-term recovery-focused care
- Are comfortable committing to a three-year doctoral program
From a salary standpoint, the median annual wage for athletic trainers was $60,250 in May 2024, while physical therapists earned $101,020, a difference that partly reflects the additional years of doctoral training required for PTs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Difference Between an Athletic Trainer and a Physical Therapist?
An athletic trainer focuses primarily on injury prevention, acute care, and working with athletes and physically active individuals. A physical therapist emphasizes rehabilitation and recovery, working with a broader patient population across clinical settings.
- Is Athletic Training the Same As Physical Therapy?
No. While both professions deal with musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation, they have different educational requirements, scopes of practice, certifications, and typical work environments. They are complementary, not interchangeable.
- What Degree Do Athletic Trainers Need?
Athletic trainers must earn a professional master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program and pass the BOC Exam to become certified.
- Can Athletic Trainers Work in Physical Therapy Clinics?
Yes, athletic trainers can work in outpatient clinics. However, their billable scope may be limited depending on state regulations and insurance requirements, which can affect day-to-day responsibilities in clinical settings.
- Do Athletic Trainers or Physical Therapists Make More?
Physical therapists generally earn more. The BLS reports a median salary of $60,250 for athletic trainers and $101,020 for physical therapists, a gap largely driven by the doctoral-level education PTs complete.
- Which is Better for Sports Injuries?
For immediate, on-field injury assessment and return-to-play decisions, an athletic trainer is the most direct resource. For post-surgical or long-term rehabilitation, a physical therapist is an appropriate provider. In practice, both often work together.
- Is Athletic Training a Good Career?
Yes. With 11% projected job growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), strong demand across sports, education, military, and industrial sectors, and expanding advanced-practice pathways, athletic training offers a meaningful and growing career in healthcare.
- What Does a Physical Therapist Do for Athletes?
Physical therapists help athletes recover from surgeries, manage chronic injuries, restore mobility, and develop rehabilitation programs tailored to athletic demands in collaboration with athletic trainers on the same care team.
Start Your Athletic Training Career at the University of Idaho
If you’re drawn to the fast-paced world of sports medicine, injury prevention, and hands-on patient care, athletic training could be an excellent path. The University of Idaho offers two professional programs designed to prepare you for exactly that.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) is available via the traditional route for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree, or through an accelerated 3+2 pathway for those completing their undergraduate education.
Beyond the master’s level, we also offer the Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT), the first program in the country, for those seeking an advanced-practice credential.
Both programs include tuition models with no out-of-state fees, integrated manual therapy certification coursework, and clinical opportunities that prepare you to work across sports, industrial, and outpatient settings.
Reach out to a representative in the Athletic Training department and take the next step toward a career that puts you at the center of athlete care and sports medicine.