Physical Therapy Careers and Salaries

Finding a physical therapy job requires fundamental education, skills, and state licensure. Being a physical therapist is more than just a job, it’s a lifelong vocation dedicated to changing people’s lives and enhancing their health. Below are three tips on how you can pursue this rewarding career.

If you want to pursue a career as a physical therapist, you must begin by earning your bachelor’s degree. Acquiring field experience will benefit you as you apply for your doctorate in physical therapy. Many programs require applicants to have experience working with patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

You can gain experience through volunteering (or work as support personnel) at physical therapy clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes), and other healthcare settings.

To begin your physical therapy career, you must first earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). All practicing physical therapists in the U.S. are required to earn a DPT from an accredited school.

Having a GPA above 3.0, taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and exemplifying physical therapy skills from field experience hours may help you stand out among other DPT applicants.

Before starting a physical therapy job, you are required to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to obtain state licensure.

After you’ve passed the NPTE, you’ll have to check your specific state for further requirements as all states differ. You can find your state’s licensure requirements through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

As you research DPT programs, determine if they offer free practice tests to help you prepare for the NPTE. Programs such as Arcadia’s hybrid DPT support students on their path to pass the NPTE by offering practice tests and faculty guidance.

Physical therapy work settings depend on the kind of physical therapy being administered. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 247,700 physical therapy jobs in 2018, of which only 26% were hospital-based. This means the majority of physical therapists work in outpatient settings and are not board certified.¹

There are a variety of workplaces for physical therapists. A few examples are:

While most physical therapists take a generalist route, some decide to become board-certified in one of nine physical therapy specialties. These specialties are defined, maintained, and issued by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). The ABPTS reports that as of June 2020, 30,041 individuals have achieved board certification as clinical specialists in physical therapy.²

They are as follows:

Out of the nine ABPTS-certified specialties, here are three examples of specialized physical therapy careers you can pursue.

Physical therapy that focuses on elements of the musculoskeletal system is known as orthopedic physical therapy. Conditions affecting joints, muscles, ligaments, bones, and tendons are treated in this category. Injuries treated include muscle strains, fractures, tendonitis, and bursitis.

Diseases, illnesses, and chronic conditions that afflict people in the later stages of adult life are addressed in geriatric physical therapy. Conditions treated include Parkinson Disease, Alzheimer Disease, osteoporosis, and arthritis. Another focus of this specialty is maximizing muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion to improve mobility and function of this population.

Physical therapists who specialize in sports care rehabilitate athletes who have sustained injuries. Conditions treated include concussions, ACL tears, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff tears, and rolled ankles. Professional athletes require advanced physical therapy specialists.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), physical therapist assistants, “are educated and licensed clinicians who provide care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.” Part of a physical therapist’s responsibilities is to guide and direct physical therapy assistants.

If you’re looking for an entry-level position in the field of physical therapy, consider becoming a physical therapy assistant or aide to gain clinical experience and make professional connections. The position typically requires a two-year associate degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and NPTE licensure.

According to the BLS, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

This growth is due to an aging baby boomer population, a prevalence in chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, and advances in technology.³

Reported by the BLS, the following data is a snapshot of physical therapy salaries from across in the U.S. in May 2019. The salaries reported below are the annual mean wage.⁴

#1 Physical Therapy Salary in Nevada — $108,550
#2 Physical Therapy Salary in Alaska — $102,650
#3 Physical Therapy Salary in California — $99,920