Physical Therapists
Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $102,760/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +10.9% projected growth, 2024–2034 — much faster than average.
About 13,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Physical Therapists?
The median pay for Physical Therapists is $102,760 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists?
Employment for Physical Therapists is projected to change +10.9% from 2024 to 2034 - much faster than average.
What education is typically required for Physical Therapists?
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Physical Therapists?
About 13,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.