Physical therapists
SOC Code: 29-1123Also known as:
Acute Care PT (Acute Care Physical Therapist), Acute Physical Therapist (Acute PT), Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapist (Cardiopulmonary PT), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Geriatric Physical Therapist (Geriatric PT)
Median Annual Salary
$101,020
+10.9% growth (2024-2034)
13K
Openings/Year
267K
Current Jobs
What Physical therapists Do
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
💰 Salary
$101,020
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+10.9%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
13K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
267,200
Projected Employment (2034)
296,400
Related Careers
Occupational therapists
$98,340 •
+13.8% growth
Physicians, all other
N/A •
+2.5% growth
Occupational therapy assistants
$68,340 •
+19.2% growth
Physical therapist assistants
$65,510 •
+22.0% growth
Physical therapist aides
$34,520 •
+2.8% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
- Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
- Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
- Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
- Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Doctoral Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Physical therapists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a physical therapists:
Physical Therapy/Therapist
13,424 degrees awarded •
268 colleges offer this program
Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist
121 degrees awarded •
6 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Physical therapists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become physical therapists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make?
The median annual salary for physical therapists is $101,020.
What education do physical therapists need?
Most physical therapists positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Common degree programs include Physical Therapy/Therapist, Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist.
Is becoming physical therapists a good career choice?
Physical therapists is projected to see +10.9% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is much faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 13,200 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for physical therapists?
Top colleges for aspiring physical therapists include
University of Southern California, Washington University in St Louis, Duke University, Northwestern University, Tufts University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to physical therapists?
Physical therapists may also be known as: Acute Care PT (Acute Care Physical Therapist), Acute Physical Therapist (Acute PT), Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapist (Cardiopulmonary PT), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Geriatric Physical Therapist (Geriatric PT), Home Care Physical Therapist (Home Care PT), Home Health Physical Therapist (Home Health PT), Inpatient Physical Therapist (Inpatient PT), Kinesiotherapist, Orthopedic Physical Therapist (Orthopedic PT), Outpatient Orthopedics Physical Therapist (Outpatient Ortho PT), Outpatient Physical Therapist (Outpatient PT), Outpatient Travel Physical Therapist (Outpatient Travel PT), Pediatric Physical Therapist (Pediatric PT), Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Physical Therapist (Pulmonary PT), Registered Physical Therapist (RPT), Skilled Nursing Facility Physical Therapist (SNF PT), Sports Physical Therapist (Sports PT), Therapist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.