Physical therapy constitutes a growing sector within the healthcare and wellness industries. Experts predict that the demand for licensed physical therapists will grow by 15% by 2032, a rate significantly faster than many other professions. U.S. News and World Report ranks physical therapists as the #30 best job in America and the 7th best in healthcare. The job outlook for physical therapists is promising, with roles spanning various settings and specializations and catering to patients of all ages.
Physical therapy work, while physically demanding, offers rewarding compensation and shows few signs of a slowdown. Physical therapists obtain their Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) after three years of education. Some opt for a residency or fellowship to specialize further. Once they pass their licensure exam, they can start treating patients in a variety of settings. The scope and impact of physical therapy work are key attractions for aspiring PTs.
Career Outlook
As baby boomers age and remain active, they increasingly face health issues that physical therapy helps mitigate. Moreover, with more individuals living longer with chronic conditions, the development of treatments that improve life quality and incorporate physical therapy is on the rise.
While many envision physical therapists primarily working with athletes to recover from injuries, the field extends far beyond sports. PTs also treat individuals injured at home or work, helping them manage pain, enhance movement, and improve their quality of life over the long term. More than recovery aides, physical therapists play a crucial role in injury prevention.
Physical therapists are essential healthcare providers beyond injury care—they manage chronic conditions and assist those with various diseases. They are integral to many patients’ healthcare teams, often collaborating closely with primary care providers to devise treatment plans. With their help, patients can restore quality of life, reduce dependence on medications, and avoid surgery. As populations age and maintain active lifestyles longer, the need for skilled physical therapists continues to grow.
Physical Therapy Specialities
Physical therapists work with a variety of patients depending on their focus area and specialty. While not all physical therapists choose to pursue a clinical specialty, specializing can significantly increase job opportunities, command higher wages, and facilitate promotions. The basic criteria for specialization in any of the ten American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) areas include holding an active American physical therapist license and accumulating 2000 direct patient care hours in the specialty over the last 10 years, with at least 500 of those hours occurring within the last three years. The specialty areas are: cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports, women’s health, and wound management.
A physical therapist’s focus need not be confined to these specialty areas. Numerous fellowships, programs, and career paths exist outside the ten certifications listed above. These programs offer pathways to physical therapy work in areas such as the performing arts, Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, and with athletes who specialize in repeated throwing motions like baseball and softball players. Completing a residency or fellowship can significantly advance a physical therapist’s training and career goals.
Where Do Physical Therapists Work?
Physical therapists work in a wide array of settings, from hospitals to private homes and various locations in between. You will find PTs working in outpatient therapy offices and clinics, including specialty clinics devoted to areas like cardiovascular care. They work in inpatient settings such as rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, and care centers. PT work extends from the home healthcare setting to the practice facilities and arenas of professional sports teams. More and more, physical therapists are conducting therapy in corporate settings as part of companies’ wellness programs. Many PTs also work in or with the American government, particularly within the Veterans Health Administration and the Department of Defense.
Schools are another common workplace for physical therapists. PTs work with K-12th grade students, providing physical therapy as part of their Individualized Education Plans, as well as conducting research and teaching aspiring PTs in university settings. An increasing number of physical therapists are working in telemedicine to assist patients who cannot be seen in in-person clinical settings. The tech industry is also hiring physical therapists as new technologies and mobile delivery systems seek to address issues of care access and equity.
Facts and Figures
The national physical therapist average salary is $100,440. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the percentile wage estimates for PTs are:
- 90% of all PTs earn more than $72,260 annually
- 75% of all PTs earn more than $81,970 annually
- 50% of all PTs earn more than $99,710 annually
- 25% of all PTs earn more than $113,630 annually
- 10% of all PTs earn more than $130,870 annually
The five states with the highest employment levels for physical therapists are:
- California with an annual physical therapist average salary of $114,270
- Texas with an annual physical therapist average salary of $106,960
- Florida with an annual physical therapist average salary of $94,850
- New York with an annual physical therapist average salary of $100,810
- Pennsylvania with an annual physical therapist average salary of $98,970
The five states with the highest average physical therapist annual salary are:
- California with an annual physical therapist average salary of $114,270
- Nevada with an annual physical therapist average salary of $111,460
- Alaska with an annual physical therapist average salary of $110,830
- New Jersey with an annual physical therapist average salary of $110,280
- Texas with an annual physical therapist average salary of $106,960
The metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels for physical therapists are:
- New York / Newark / Jersey City (NY, NJ, PA) with an annual average salary of $108,790
- Los Angeles / Long Beach / Anaheim (CA) with an annual average salary of $106,930
- Chicago / Naperville / Elgin (IL, IN, WI) with an annual average salary of $105,620
- Philadelphia / Camden / Wilmington (PA, NJ, DE, MD) with an annual average salary of $104,600
- Miami / Fort Lauderdale / West Palm Beach (FL) with an annual average salary of $87,770
- Boston / Cambridge / Nashua (MA, NH) with an annual average salary of $100,700
- Washington / Arlington / Alexandria (DC, VA, MD, WV) with an annual average salary of $108,880
- Dallas / Fort Worth / Arlington (TX) with an annual average salary of $109,560
- Houston / The Woodlands / Sugar Land (TX) with an annual average salary of $113,180
- Atlanta / Sandy Springs / Roswell (GA) with an annual average salary of $100,170
The annual mean wage for PTs by industry are:
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners: $92,620
- Offices of Physicians: $95,730
- Nursing Care Facilities: $101,200
- Specialty Hospitals (excluding Psychiatric and Substance Use): $102,560
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $104,520
- Individual and Family Services: $108,950
- Home Health Care Services: $116,500
- Outpatient Care Centers: $139,860
Conclusion
Physical therapy is a growing field offering many different environments, challenges, and types of patients to work with. Ranking consistently in the top 100 jobs and among the best healthcare jobs in America, the future looks bright for physical therapists. Read more about some of the top PT schools and PT school requirements to start your journey to becoming a physical therapist now.
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