Occupational Therapists vs Physical Therapists AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Occupational Therapists

72 shared · 14 different

core competencies

low risk

Physical Therapists

Side-by-Side Comparison

Physical Therapists leads 5–0

Metric	Occupational Therapists	Physical Therapists
Risk Score	23.9%	22.6%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	16th	12th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	3 / 15	2 / 15
Median Salary	$98,340	$101,020
Employment	152K	249K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Developing and Building Teams

Sociology and Anthropology

Performing General Physical Activities

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Psychology

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Therapy and Counseling

Handling and Moving Objects

Biology

Coaching and Developing Others

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Occupational Therapists

39%

total discount

Physical Therapists

37%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Occupational Therapists

3 of 15 at risk

61%Complete and maintain necessary records.

57%Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.

51%Conduct research in occupational therapy.

47%Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.

47%Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.

Physical Therapists

2 of 15 at risk

86%Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.

51%Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.

49%Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.

41%Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.

40%Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

Wage Comparison

Physical Therapists earns +$2,680(+3%) vs Occupational Therapists

Occupational TherapistsPhysical Therapists

10th

$67,090$74,420

25th

$80,490$83,470

Median

$98,340$101,020

75th

$110,460$117,190

90th

$129,830$132,500

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Occupational Therapists2028–2035

Physical Therapists2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Physical Therapists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Occupational Therapists.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Occupational Therapists

$74,856

from $98,340

Physical Therapists

$78,240

from $101,020

After adjusting for AI risk, Physical Therapists offers $3,384 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Occupational

Unique to Physical

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation

Creativity

Social Intelligence

Decision Complexity

Occupational TherapistsPhysical Therapists

Find transitions from Occupational Therapists Find transitions from Physical Therapists