Obviously, the best combination would be to have duel credentials as a PT/ATC; that way you can work in a variety of settings. Of course, a person with a PhD in either field can also make quite a bit of money by teaching in University and/or Allied Health Schools. In general, PTs tend to make more money than ATCs, since they can bill patients directly in every state. ATCs never used to bill directly, but that is slowly changing in several states. By the time a new student graduates (with a Master’s Degree) in about 6 years from now, ATCs should have the ability to bill directly in all 50 states, but that is not certain. It depends upon our national association continuing to make progress with the Medicare System. You really should not get into either profession for the money, as there are easier ways for a person to make money than either PT or ATC (or even Nursing for that matter). You should go into this field because you love to help treat people, especially with one-to-one, hands-on settings. You can make a real difference in people’s lives, but most ATCs, and even PTs, are not rich! Why don’t you try to spend a few days “shadowing” some local PTs and ATCs, so that you can see, exactly, what they do all day long, and why they do what they do?
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May PT
Obviously, the best combination would be to have duel credentials as a PT/ATC; that way you can work in a variety of settings. Of course, a person with a PhD in either field can also make quite a bit of money by teaching in University and/or Allied Health Schools. In general, PTs tend to make more money than ATCs, since they can bill patients directly in every state. ATCs never used to bill directly, but that is slowly changing in several states. By the time a new student graduates (with a Master’s Degree) in about 6 years from now, ATCs should have the ability to bill directly in all 50 states, but that is not certain. It depends upon our national association continuing to make progress with the Medicare System. You really should not get into either profession for the money, as there are easier ways for a person to make money than either PT or ATC (or even Nursing for that matter). You should go into this field because you love to help treat people, especially with one-to-one, hands-on settings. You can make a real difference in people’s lives, but most ATCs, and even PTs, are not rich! Why don’t you try to spend a few days “shadowing” some local PTs and ATCs, so that you can see, exactly, what they do all day long, and why they do what they do?