What They Do:
Diagnose and treat any conditions or illnesses that limit a person’s ability to move and function.  Evaluate a patient’s endurance, joint motion, muscle strength, pain, functional ability, muscle tone and reflexes, function of the heart and lungs, and need and use of braces and artificial limbs.

Qualifications:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree

  • Licensed in the state in which they practice

What They Make:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2019 median pay was $89,440.

Where They Work:

  • Private offices

  • Clinics

  • Hospitals

  • Nursing homes

Career Outlook:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 18% from 2019-2029, much faster than average for all occupations.

Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapists,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (visited February 2021).

Updated February 2021