How much money does a physical therapist make? What does a physical therapist do on the job? What are the education requirements to become a physical therapist. This article will provide a general job overview of physical therapy, as well as the education requirements and detailed salary statistics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physical therapists is expected to grow % between years 2012 and 20122–a figure much faster than other occupations. This is a positive job outlook for this profession.
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries.
Here are some of the tasks a physical therapist will do on the job:
- Review patients’ medical history and any referrals or notes from doctors or surgeons
- Diagnose patients’ dysfunctional movements by observing them stand or walk and by listening to their concerns, among other methods
- Set up a plan of care for patients, outlining the patient’s goals and the expected outcome of the plan
- Use exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients’ pain, help them increase their mobility, prevent further pain or injury, and facilitate health and wellness.
- Evaluate a patient’s progress, modifying a plan of care and trying new treatments as needed
- Educate patients and their families about what to expect from and how best to cope with the recovery process
Physical Therapist Education Requirements
In order to become a physical therapist, you must complete all necessary education requirements. First, you must obtain your high school diploma or GED equivalent. Next, must graduate from a bachelor’s degree program, which generally takes four years to complete. The next step would be to apply to a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which takes about 3 more years.
Interestingly, schools used to offer a master’s degree for physical therapy. However, that has been phased out, and now schools in the U.S. only offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Physical therapists may apply to and complete a clinical residency program after graduation. Residencies typically last about 1 year and provide additional training and experience in specialty areas of care. Therapists who have completed a residency program may choose to specialize further by completing a fellowship in an advanced clinical area.
All states require physical therapists to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state but all include passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Several states also require a law exam and a criminal background check. Continuing education is typically required for physical therapists to keep their license. Check with state boards for specific licensing requirements.
Physical Therapy Salary Statistics
Physical therapists earn competitive salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (in 2014), the average hourly wage for a physical therapist was $40.35. The average annual salary was $83,940.
Here is the percentile date for physical therapists:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $27.31 | $33.02 | $39.61 | $46.18 | $55.81 |
| Annual Wage | $56,800 | $68,690 | $82,390 | $96,060 | $116,090 |
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 71,520 | 9.24 | $39.32 | $81,790 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 50,190 | 0.96 | $40.01 | $83,230 |
| Home Health Care Services | 24,740 | 1.97 | $45.48 | $94,600 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 12,460 | 0.75 | $42.74 | $88,890 |
| Offices of Physicians | 11,040 | 0.45 | $39.49 | $82,130 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Other Schools and Instruction | n/a | n/a | $46.54 | $96,810 |
| Home Health Care Services | 24,740 | 1.97 | $45.48 | $94,600 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 12,460 | 0.75 | $42.74 | $88,890 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | 1,650 | 0.20 | $41.92 | $87,190 |
| Employment Services | 3,720 | 0.11 | $40.72 | $84,700 |
Top paying states for this occupation:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Nevada | 1,500 | 1.26 | 0.85 | $61.49 | $127,900 |
| Alaska | 500 | 1.54 | 1.04 | $46.32 | $96,350 |
| New Jersey | 7,000 | 1.81 | 1.22 | $44.42 | $92,380 |
| California | 17,200 | 1.14 | 0.77 | $44.29 | $92,120 |
| Texas | 11,730 | 1.04 | 0.70 | $44.02 | $91,560 |
Lowest Paying States:
| Montana | 33.46 | 69,590 |
| North Dakota | 33.60 | 69,900 |
| South Dakota | 34.22 | 71,180 |
Physical Therapist Average Salary by State:
| State: | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | Annual median wage |
| Alabama | 40.67 | 84,590 | 84,400 |
| Alaska | 46.32 | 96,350 | 93,080 |
| Arizona | 40.82 | 84,910 | 79,740 |
| Arkansas | 37.84 | 78,700 | 81,160 |
| California | 44.29 | 92,120 | 91,430 |
| Colorado | 36.64 | 76,210 | 74,520 |
| Connecticut | 41.90 | 87,150 | 85,320 |
| Delaware | 39.04 | 81,200 | 79,060 |
| District of Columbia | 40.37 | 83,970 | 81,560 |
| Florida | 40.40 | 84,030 | 81,980 |
| Georgia | 39.65 | 82,470 | 81,820 |
| Guam | 28.18 | 58,610 | 57,940 |
| Hawaii | 38.66 | 80,410 | 83,020 |
| Idaho | 37.09 | 77,140 | 78,960 |
| Illinois | 38.28 | 79,620 | 79,790 |
| Indiana | 39.20 | 81,540 | 82,420 |
| Iowa | 36.49 | 75,900 | 74,710 |
| Kansas | 38.74 | 80,590 | 78,940 |
| Kentucky | 39.83 | 82,850 | 83,120 |
| Louisiana | 39.08 | 81,280 | 81,720 |
| Maine | 37.30 | 77,580 | 74,070 |
| Maryland | 42.48 | 88,370 | 86,760 |
| Massachusetts | 39.57 | 82,300 | 82,540 |
| Michigan | 39.93 | 83,060 | 79,630 |
| Minnesota | 36.95 | 76,860 | 76,870 |
| Mississippi | 42.04 | 87,440 | 86,820 |
| Missouri | 36.36 | 75,620 | 75,360 |
| Montana | 33.46 | 69,590 | 69,860 |
| Nebraska | 35.54 | 73,910 | 73,090 |
| Nevada | 61.49 | 127,900 | 100,490 |
| New Hampshire | 37.41 | 77,820 | 76,830 |
| New Jersey | 44.42 | 92,380 | 90,490 |
| New Mexico | 42.22 | 87,820 | 87,320 |
| New York | 40.59 | 84,420 | 80,390 |
| North Carolina | 38.48 | 80,050 | 79,830 |
| North Dakota | 33.60 | 69,900 | 69,630 |
| Ohio | 39.79 | 82,770 | 81,630 |
| Oklahoma | 38.93 | 80,980 | 81,210 |
| Oregon | 38.17 | 79,390 | 79,890 |
| Pennsylvania | 38.89 | 80,890 | 78,630 |
| Puerto Rico | 19.54 | 40,650 | 38,340 |
| Rhode Island | 38.62 | 80,330 | 77,280 |
| South Carolina | 37.81 | 78,650 | 80,210 |
| South Dakota | 34.22 | 71,180 | 71,230 |
| Tennessee | 40.06 | 83,320 | 83,370 |
| Texas | 44.02 | 91,560 | 88,030 |
| Utah | 38.12 | 79,300 | 79,490 |
| Vermont | 35.42 | 73,660 | 73,610 |
| Virginia | 40.92 | 85,120 | 83,720 |
| Washington | 40.23 | 83,680 | 83,190 |
| West Virginia | 39.64 | 82,440 | 80,050 |
| Wisconsin | 38.21 | 79,480 | 81,270 |
| Wyoming | 38.79 | 80,690 | 79,320 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Physical Therapist, on the Internet at bls.gov.