How to Become a Physical Therapist
About this section
Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching, to treat patients.
Physical therapists entering the occupation need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed.
Education
Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
DPT programs typically last 3 years. Physical therapy programs typically require a bachelor’s degree, which may be in recreation and fitness or healthcare and related fields, and prerequisite courses such as anatomy, chemistry, and physics.
Most DPT programs require candidates to apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).
Physical therapist programs often include courses in biomechanics, neuroscience, and pharmacology. Physical therapist students also complete clinical work, during which they gain supervised experience in areas such as acute care and orthopedic care.
Physical therapists may apply to a clinical residency program after graduation. Residencies typically last about 1 year and provide additional training and experience in specialty areas of care. Physical therapists who have completed a residency program may choose to specialize further by participating in a fellowship in an advanced clinical area. The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education has directories of physical therapist residency and fellowship programs.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states require physical therapists to be licensed, which includes passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Other requirements vary by state. For example, some 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 your state board for specific licensing requirements.
After gaining work experience, some physical therapists choose to become a board-certified specialist. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers certification in clinical specialty areas of physical therapy, such as orthopedics, sports, and geriatrics. Board specialist certification requires passing an exam and completing clinical work in the specialty area.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Physical therapists must clearly explain treatment programs, motivate patients, and listen to patients’ concerns in order to provide effective therapy.
Compassion. Physical therapists spend a lot of time interacting with patients, so they should have a desire to help people. They work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for their patients.
Detail oriented. Like other healthcare providers, physical therapists should have strong analytic and observational skills to diagnose a patient’s problem, evaluate treatments, and provide safe, effective care.
Dexterity. Physical therapists must use their hands to provide manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. They should feel comfortable massaging and otherwise physically assisting patients.
Physical stamina. Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, moving to demonstrate proper techniques and to help patients perform exercises. They should enjoy physical activity.
Resourcefulness. Physical therapists customize treatment plans for patients. They must be flexible and adapt plans of care to meet the needs of each patient.
Time-management skills. Physical therapists typically treat several patients each day. They must be able to provide appropriate care to patients as well as complete administrative tasks, such as documenting patient progress.
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021
29-1123 Physical Therapists
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.
National estimates for Physical Therapists
Industry profile for Physical Therapists
Geographic profile for Physical Therapists
National estimates for Physical Therapists:
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Physical Therapists:
Employment (1) Employment
RSE (3) Mean hourly
wage Mean annual
wage (2) Wage RSE (3) 225,350 1.0 % $ 44.67 $ 92,920 0.4 %
Percentile wage estimates for Physical Therapists:
Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median) 75% 90% Hourly Wage $ 29.77 $ 37.38 $ 45.97 $ 49.00 $ 61.11 Annual Wage (2) $ 61,930 $ 77,750 $ 95,620 $ 101,920 $ 127,110
Industry profile for Physical Therapists:
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Physical Therapists are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Physical Therapists, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Physical Therapists:
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Physical Therapists:
Top paying industries for Physical Therapists:
Geographic profile for Physical Therapists:
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Physical Therapists are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Physical Therapists, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in Physical Therapists:
State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2) California 23,840 1.44 0.90 $ 49.77 $ 103,510 New York 16,130 1.86 1.16 $ 44.18 $ 91,890 Texas 14,040 1.15 0.72 $ 47.28 $ 98,340 Florida 13,220 1.54 0.96 $ 43.57 $ 90,630 Pennsylvania 10,700 1.92 1.20 $ 45.39 $ 94,400
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Physical Therapists:
State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2) Maine 1,420 2.40 1.50 $ 41.17 $ 85,620 Montana 1,120 2.39 1.49 $ 39.74 $ 82,660 Alaska 680 2.30 1.44 $ 46.63 $ 96,980 Vermont 630 2.21 1.38 $ 41.08 $ 85,440 Wyoming 570 2.20 1.38 $ 42.88 $ 89,190
Top paying states for Physical Therapists:
State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2) Nevada 1,860 1.44 0.90 $ 50.10 $ 104,210 California 23,840 1.44 0.90 $ 49.77 $ 103,510 Connecticut 3,410 2.17 1.36 $ 48.64 $ 101,180 Delaware 870 1.99 1.25 $ 48.31 $ 100,490 New Jersey 7,400 1.92 1.20 $ 47.85 $ 99,530
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Physical Therapists:
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Physical Therapists:
Top paying metropolitan areas for Physical Therapists:
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Physical Therapists:
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Physical Therapists:
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Physical Therapists:
About May 2021 National, State, Metropolitan, and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate—50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a “year-round, full-time” hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OEWS estimates and related information:
May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Occupation Profiles
Technical Notes
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