Physical Therapist
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
