Physical Therapy: Career Outlook

Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Some physical therapists treat a wide range of ailments; others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.

Demand for physical therapists is expected to outpace average demand for all occupations through 2014. That is in part a result of the expanding elderly population. Furthermore, young people will need physical therapy as technological advances save the lives of a larger proportion of newborns with severe birth defects, and as technological advances permit a higher percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. In addition, growth may result from advances in medical technology that could permit the treatment of more disabling conditions. Lastly, growing interest in health promotion also should increase demand, and a more employers are using physical therapists to evaluate worksites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits to employees in the hope of reducing injuries.

Physical therapists held about 155,000 jobs in 2004. The number of jobs is greater than the number of practicing physical therapists because some physical therapists hold two or more jobs. For example, some may work in a private practice, but also work part time in another healthcare facility. By 2004, an APTA survey of its membership reported that 14% of respondents had a DPT or other doctoral degree. The survey also report that men make up a slightly larger percentage of physical therapists than five years ago.

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Practice Settings

Physical therapists practice in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private outpatient offices, schools and homes. Some physical therapists teach in academic institutions and conduct research. They work full- or part-time, and the work can be physically demanding.

Earnings

According to the APTA 2005 Median Income of Physical Therapists Summary Report, the median income of physical therapists increased 24% between 1999 and 2004, to $68,000 annually. The job market has improved steadily since 2001, with physical therapists experiencing virtually no unemployment.

Licensure

All states require physical therapists to pass a licensure exam before they can practice after graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program. Aspiring physical therapists can opt for a master's degree or a doctoral degree, and a variety of post-professional options.

Licensed physical therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops and a number of states require continuing education as a condition of maintaining one’s licensure.

Further Information

American Physical Therapy Association

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2004-2005