Physical Therapist Assistants vs Radiologic Technicians AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Physical Therapist Assistants

69 shared · 13 different

core competencies

medium risk

Radiologic Technicians

Side-by-Side Comparison

Physical Therapist Assistants leads 5–0

Metric	Physical Therapist Assistants	Radiologic Technicians
Risk Score	22.5%	26.0%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Medium Risk
Risk Percentile	12th	22th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	1 / 15	4 / 15
Median Salary	$65,510	$48,790
Employment	108K	174K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Controlling Machines and Processes

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Operation and Control

Psychology

Control Precision

Sociology and Anthropology

Therapy and Counseling

Analyzing Data or Information

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Coaching and Developing Others

Performing General Physical Activities

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Physical Therapist Assistants

34%

total discount

Radiologic Technicians

33%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Physical Therapist Assistants

1 of 15 at risk

86%Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.

43%Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.

43%Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.

42%Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.

39%Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.

Radiologic Technicians

4 of 15 at risk

88%Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.

86%Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.

84%Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.

51%Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.

47%Prepare and set up x-ray room for patient.

Wage Comparison

Radiologic Technicians earns -$16,720(-26%) vs Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical Therapist AssistantsRadiologic Technicians

10th

$46,020$37,290

25th

$58,240$40,740

Median

$65,510$48,790

75th

$77,270$62,280

90th

$87,630$81,290

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Physical Therapist Assistants2028–2035

Radiologic Technicians2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Physical Therapist Assistants has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Radiologic Technicians.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Physical Therapist Assistants

$50,757

from $65,510

Radiologic Technicians

$36,105

from $48,790

After adjusting for AI risk, Physical Therapist Assistants offers $14,653 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Physical

Unique to Radiologic

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Decision Complexity

Regulatory Barriers

Fine Manipulation

Social Intelligence

Physical Therapist AssistantsRadiologic Technicians

Find transitions from Physical Therapist Assistants Find transitions from Radiologic Technicians