Physical Therapy Career Path

The physical therapy career path is one of the most rewarding careers in both healthcare and fitness. As a PT, you will work with patients on an individual basis to reduce pain and restore movement through hands-on treatments like exercises, massage, joint manipulation, and more. Working as a PT requires patience, empathy for others’ physical limitations, knowledge about anatomy and physiology (especially muscles), strong communication skills to help patients understand their diagnosis or prognosis. Physical therapists work closely with other medical professionals such as physicians who order treatment plans or surgeons who make decisions based on a patient’s condition.

If you’re interested in pursuing a physical therapy career, then there are many steps involved in your path to success!

Physical Therapist Education: The first step to becoming a physical therapist is to complete your undergraduate degree. Most enter the PT program with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or health sciences. The major courses required for admission are biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience/psychology, social science research methods.

Physical Therapist Education Requirements: Once you achieve your undergraduate degree, you will then need to complete a professional doctoral degree in physical therapy. This is a 3-year program that will prepare you for certification exams administered by the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) Board.
Physical Therapist Licensure: After completing your PT education, you will need to become licensed in the state where you wish to practice. This generally requires passing the NPTE, completing a criminal background check, and meeting other state requirements.
Physical Therapist Certification: In order to be credentialed as a physical therapist, you will need to pass the NPTE. This exam is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and is required for licensure and practice.
Physical Therapist Salary: Physical therapists make an average of $80,000 per year. The highest-paid PTs will experience salaries between $100,000 – $120,000. Keep in mind that this is a career with growth potential as the elderly population continues to rise over the next several decades.

Physical therapists work in a diverse range of settings, including hospitals, rehab centers, schools, and clinics. Depending on the type of setting you’re applying for, physical therapists may work with patients following accidents and injuries.

Table of Contents

1. Physical Therapist Jobs

Hospital (Physical Therapy):

As a physical therapist in a hospital setting, you can expect to work with patients who have recently experienced an injury or illness that has caused them pain and limited their movement. You will assess each patient’s condition and work with them to create a treatment plan that will help reduce their pain and improve their range of motion. In addition, you may also be responsible for educating patients and their families about their condition and the treatments they are receiving.

The average salary for a physical therapist in a hospital setting is $80,000 per year. However, those with more experience or who work in a larger hospital can expect to earn a higher salary. And, as the population ages, the demand for physical therapists is expected to grow, so there is potential for physical therapists to earn more as they gain experience.

Clinical Setting:

This could be any number of settings, from clinics, rehabilitation centers, or schools. The commonality between them all is the hands-on treatment of patients with a variety of diagnoses and injuries. In this case, you can expect to work alongside physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

The average salary for a physical therapist in a clinical setting is $84,000 per year. Again, those who have more experience or work in a high-paying clinic can expect to earn more. And as with hospitals, the demand for physical therapists is expected to grow as the population continues to age.

School Setting:

Physical therapists in this setting can expect to work with students, either at school or in a clinic, who have experienced an injury that has caused them pain and limited their mobility. This may also extend to sports injuries in students involved in activities such as football or cheerleading.

The average salary for a physical therapist in a school setting is $75,000 per year. However, it’s important to note that the salary range for this type of position can vary widely depending on the location and size of the school district.

No matter what type of setting you choose as a physical therapist, one of the most important things to remember is that you will be working with people who are relying on you to help them regain their mobility and improve their quality of life. If you have the patience, empathy, and knowledge to become a physical therapist, then this is a career you will definitely enjoy!

The physical therapy field is growing rapidly as the boom in the next several decades. Physical therapists work with patients to improve movement and reduce pain. The most common settings for physical therapists are hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and clinics. These are just a few examples of what you can expect as a physical therapist.

Exercise Physiotherapist or PT:

Physical therapists help patients manage pain and improve mobility. Exercise physiotherapists work with patients to design an exercise program that is safe and effective. They work with surgeons, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. Exercise physiotherapists can work in a clinic, rehabilitation center, school, hospital, or other clinical settings, and they will be required to refer out any patient who needs more advanced services from a specialist. The average salary for this profession is $78,000 per year.

Rehabilitation Therapist:

Rehabilitation therapists work with patients who have experienced an injury that has caused pain and limited their movement. They help these patients to regain their mobility and improve their quality of life. The average salary for a rehabilitation therapist is $75,000 per year. However, this salary can vary widely depending on the location and size of the clinic. Rehabilitation therapists typically work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, or schools.

Sports Therapist:

Physical therapists who work in sports therapy typically work with students who have experienced an injury that has caused them pain and limited their mobility. They help these students to regain their mobility and improve their quality of life. The average salary for a physical therapist who works in sports therapy is $75,000 per year. However, this salary can vary widely depending on the location and size of the school. In addition, sports therapists typically work in schools or rehabilitation centers.

Industrial Rehabilitation Therapist:

Industrial rehabilitation therapists help employees who have experienced an injury on the job to regain their mobility and improve their quality of life. They work with surgeons, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to help these employees return to work as soon as possible. In addition, industrial rehabilitation therapists may also provide education and training to employees on how to stay safe while on the job. The average salary for an industrial rehabilitation therapist is $75,000 per year. However, this salary can vary widely depending on the location and size of the clinic. Industrial rehabilitation therapists typically work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, or schools.

2. How Many Years will It Take to Become a Physical Therapist?

Most physical therapists have a master’s degree, although some may have a doctoral degree. It typically takes about three years to complete a master’s degree in physical therapy. It will then take you another two years to complete a doctoral degree in physical therapy. However, some states do not require a doctorate for this profession, so you will need to check the requirements in your state.

The starting salary for a physical therapist is $66,000 per year or $32 per hour. The starting salary can be less than this in some areas of the country. As you gain more experience, your salary will increase. The average salary for a physical therapist is $76,000 per year or $37 per hour.

3. Is becoming a DPT worth It?

Problem: Becoming a physical therapist is one of the most rewarding careers in both healthcare and fitness, but it’s also one of the hardest to get into.

Agitate: The starting salary for a physical therapist is $66,000 per year or $32 per hour. The starting salary can be less than this in some areas of the country. As you gain more experience, your salary will increase. The average salary for a physical therapist is $76,000 per year or $37 per hour.

Solution: If you’re looking to pursue an exciting career that has great earning potential then becoming a DPT may be worth it! You’ll need to have at least 3 years of undergraduate education before applying to PT school. Once you’ve completed PT school, your pay will typically start at $66,000-76,000 per year.

4. What are the Educational Requirements for Physical Therapy?

You must have a bachelor’s degree to become a physical therapist. You can then receive further training through an accredited professional doctorate program in physical therapy (DPT). Once you have completed your DPT, you must pass a licensing exam in order to practice as a physical therapist.

5. What is the Job Outlook for Physical Therapy?

The job outlook for physical therapy is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for physical therapists will grow by 34% from 2016-2026. This is the same as the average growth rate for all occupations.

In conclusion, the physical therapy career path is rewarding and has a promising future outlook. The job outlook for PTs is excellent because there will be an increased need in this area due to population growth and the aging of baby boomers. In addition, if you’re looking to pursue an exciting career that has great earning potential, then becoming a DPT may be worth it! You’ll need at least 3 years of undergraduate education before applying to PT school. Once you’ve completed PT school, your pay typically starts around $66-76k per year, depending on your experience level. If you find yourself interested in pursuing this profession or have any questions about how to get started, feel free to contact us today!