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Job outlook for physical therapists in the United States
Physical therapist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected physical therapist job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 40,400 new jobs for physical therapists are projected over the next decade.
Physical therapist salaries have increased 7% for physical therapists in the last 5 years.
There are over 106,775 physical therapists currently employed in the United States.
There are 86,697 active physical therapist job openings in the US.
The average physical therapist salary is $73,070.
Are physical therapist jobs in demand?
Physical therapist job and salary trends over time
Physical therapist jobs over time
Physical therapist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 106,775 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 104,652 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 110,566 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 108,315 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 106,808 | 0.03% |
Average physical therapist salary over time
Physical therapist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $73,070 | $35.13 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $71,810 | $34.52 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $70,597 | $33.94 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $69,730 | $33.52 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $68,566 | $32.96 | +1.6% |
Physical therapist jobs by state
Most common states for physical therapists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 369 | 27% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 168 | 27% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 191 | 25% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 395 | 21% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 175 | 20% |
| 6 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,181 | 18% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 551 | 18% |
| 8 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 523 | 18% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 193 | 18% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 192 | 18% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 177 | 18% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 96 | 17% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,082 | 16% |
| 14 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 985 | 16% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 209 | 16% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 118 | 16% |
| 17 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 112 | 16% |
| 18 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,269 | 15% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,143 | 15% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 936 | 15% |
Most common cities for physical therapists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Myers | 29 | 38% | $67,450 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | 25 | 13% | $71,638 |
| 3 | Baltimore | 36 | 6% | $76,787 |
| 4 | New Orleans | 22 | 6% | $73,533 |
| 5 | Tucson | 25 | 5% | $74,916 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 22 | 5% | $70,370 |
| 7 | Boston | 30 | 4% | $79,814 |
| 8 | Oakland | 18 | 4% | $109,579 |
| 9 | Indianapolis | 27 | 3% | $70,971 |
| 10 | Detroit | 19 | 3% | $71,681 |
| 11 | Fresno | 18 | 3% | $108,105 |
| 12 | Washington | 18 | 3% | $78,216 |
| 13 | Albuquerque | 17 | 3% | $74,431 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 26 | 2% | $77,440 |
| 15 | San Francisco | 21 | 2% | $109,793 |
| 16 | San Jose | 19 | 2% | $109,755 |
| 17 | Chicago | 30 | 1% | $75,246 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 30 | 1% | $106,044 |
| 19 | Houston | 22 | 1% | $72,550 |
| 20 | San Diego | 21 | 1% | $102,881 |
Physical Therapist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of physical therapist experts
Xavier University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
University of South Florida
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Weber State University
University of Akron
Hope College
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Willamette University
Endicott College
Concordia University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Illinois at Chicago
Meredith College
University of Puget Sound
Ohio University
Andrews University
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
John Wright: The field of Kinesiology is a remarkably diverse field. Students graduating with a degree in Kinesiology have a unique opportunity to pursue myriad opportunities. Currently, graduates are prepared to pursue graduate education or employment in fields as diverse as medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, strength & conditioning / human performance, personal training, and corporate or medical wellness. With such a variety of opportunities, I strongly recommend that students entering the field try a variety of career options through a combination of field experiences, internships opportunities, and employment opportunities. Only after sampling the different specialities can students truly realize their passion! Often students enter their academic career with limited exposure to the field, and subsequently, they may feel pigeon-holed and/or limited in their career opportunities. I often tell my students to keep an open mind and take advantage of every opportunity presented! You never know when inspiration will strike, and that area of specialization that wasn’t initially on your radar might actually become your true calling!
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Wright: The field of Kinesiology has evolved significantly over the past 35 years. Specialization with specific populations is necessary in order to really make a name for yourself. Regardless of which populations you would like to work with (i.e.: Older Adults, Military/Tactical Strength & Conditioning, Competitive Sports / Human Performance, Corporate Wellness, Pediatric / Adolescent), there are common themes that have become essential for success in the field. Graduates in the field of Kinesiology should become very familiar with postural analysis, Functional Movement Screening, and corrective exercise. Additionally, an emphasis on injury prevention, exercise epidemiology (Exercise is Medicine), and longevity and health-span have become emerging trends. Finally, other than the Kinesiology-specific skills, competence in social media and marketing has become ubiquitous as a set of “soft-skills” in order to reach and match with emerging markets.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
John Wright: Without a doubt, certification from a reputable agency is the first step to success! Depending on which direction your career takes you, certification may be either required or recommended. Fields like Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy mandate either national certification and/or state licensure in order to practice. However, other areas of specialization like strength & conditioning and personal training do not have strict certification or licensure requirements. Whether or not your area of specialization requires a certification, being certified or licensed to practice ensures that you have met the minimal educational and professional standards in your field. With that said, I often recommend to our Athletic Training and pre-Physical Therapy students to obtain multiple credentials in order to enhance their professional marketability. Athletic Trainers should be certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification (NATABOC), and I recommend that they obtain the Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification from the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). It’s also a good idea to pursue additional certifications such as the Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the Certified Exercise Physiologist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). If your ambition is to work with “Tactical Athletes” (soldiers, firefighters, law enforcement officers), I strongly recommend attaining the Tactical Strength & Conditioning (TSAC) certification from the NSCA. If your goal is to become a personal trainer, there are a variety of personal training certifications that are available, but it is important to realize that not all certifications are created equal. NATA, NSCA, CSM, and NASM certifications are considered the most reputable, and they are all certifications that are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Chad Killian PhD: The ability to critically evaluate and apply the use of technology to support effective practice is now mandatory in almost every field, including kinesiology. It will be important for kinesiology professionals to have the ability to consider if/when/how these technologies can/should be used in their practice.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chad Killian PhD: Kinesiology professionals can pursue specializations that extend beyond their baseline degree and certification. By investing in reputable professional development and specialized training, professionals can ensure they remain competitive and make a positive impact in their field.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Chad Killian PhD: Regardless of the specific field a Kinesiology graduate enters, it is crucial to stay informed about current societal trends and emerging research. It will be essential to actively engage with students or clients to ensure practices are consistently aligned with their evolving needs.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Bailey Palmer: Kinesiology is the study of human movement, so by definition a kinesiologist is someone who works with patients or clients in a variety of healthcare or athletic setting to improve the quality of movement and participation in physical activity. A kinesiology professional can work as a rehabilitation specialist seeing patients throughout the day or work as an athletic trainer assisting athletes with injuries or even a professor who teaches exercise physiology classes to pre-med students. Kinesiology is a great field because of its broad range of career paths that it caters to.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bailey Palmer: Some kinesiology professional need a post-graduate degree, such as a Master’s in Exercise Physiology or Human Performance or even a doctorate in Physical Therapy, to acquire a job. This can be daunting or challenging for some to attain. Most kinesiologists help people with functional limitations and find it very rewarding to improve their quality of life through therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing movement ability and physical performance.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Bailey Palmer: Employment for professionals in kinesiology is expected to grow by over 15% in the next ten years. People are living longer which means a higher quality of life needs to be attained in those later years. Kinesiology professionals can help to improve mobility, rehab injuries, and increase fitness levels in these individuals to improve quality of life.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Ashley Varol: Kinesiologists have a wide variety of settings they can work in, and no two days will ever be the same. The role is very flexible with the type of client they may work with and as the world becomes more interested in preventive health and wellness, the market will continue to need individuals who understand the human body and how to move it, with and without disease, illness or injury.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ashley Varol: A kinesiologist is someone who creates exercise programming with movements specific to an individual to meet a goal – whether it be to enhance posture, prevent or rehabilitate from an injury, improve elements of sports performance, or weight loss. Day to day life includes performing assessments to understand strength, flexibility, endurance, as well as overall movement pattern assessment to look for muscle development and imbalances. It will also include creative time, developing exercise programs that match the goals of the client, and requires coaching and cuing movement effectively while providing excellent service to their clients/members/patients.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Ashley Varol: There is a wide variety of employment options which is great as you can avoid burnout by changing setting/client type, but can also mean working “off” hours – many people want to exercise before or after work or on lunch breaks, so the schedule can be a little bit stretched or non-linear.
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD: There are many specialists in rehabilitation, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, rehabilitation physicians (physiatrist), orthotists/prosthetists, podiatrists, speech and language pathologists, respiratory therapists, social workers, and more. Each profession fulfills its own responsibilities in the rehabilitation process while collaborating with other professionals. The main goal of all clinical rehabilitation specialists is to improve patient function and to help them achieve their goals. For someone considering entering the field, I would suggest learning as much about each profession as possible to find out which field is most appealing. Many rehabilitation clinics and hospitals provide shadowing experience, and that is a good way to learn about the different fields.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Sumer Samhoury: The best way to maximize your salary potential is to specialize and get board certified in a specific area or population and if you’re passionate about a specific area of expertise, apply for a 1 year residency program. You will learn one on one with board certified experts and save a lot of money on continuing education and be able to sit for a board certification exam by the time you finish it. You will also learn so much more in a short period of time than if you decide to take multiple continuing education courses.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sumer Samhoury: My advice would be to find a job where there are many other therapists that can serve as mentors that you can continue to learn from. Being a new grad is challenging because you are now applying everything you learned in school in the clinic and that can be overwhelming without some guidance. It’s also best to start working in an outpatient clinic with patients with a variety of diagnoses and a diverse population to further increase your knowledge base.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Sumer Samhoury: Telehealth and remote PT is becoming more prevalent and being able to educate patients to become more independent in their care and healing is the direction in which this field is going. It will also allow for greater access to PT for less mobile individuals.
Dr. Shala Davis Ph.D., FACSM
Professor/Department ChairEast Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Dr. Shala Davis Ph.D., FACSM: Get as much experience working with varied populations as possible to enhance your interpersonal communication skills as well as your clinical competencies. In addition, sitting for and passing a professional credentialing exam demonstrates your commitment to professional development.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Shala Davis Ph.D., FACSM: The field is expanding and the new professional needs to adapt along with the contemporary trends. Communication, varied exercise programming, use of technology and the ability to motivate clients/patients to be compliant with exercise will be the key to success in the next few years.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Shala Davis Ph.D., FACSM: Holding a professional credential and having varied skills to work with apparently health adults and patients with clinical conditions makes the professional more marketable.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Saori Hanaki: Those who are going into fitness and/or coaching-related areas definitely want to consider getting certifications from respected organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength & Conditioning Association. I would specifically recommend getting certifications that require a college degree and/or exercise science-specific coursework since many fitness certifications including personal training certifications can be obtained without a college degree. Additionally, extensive practical experiences in health and fitness assessments, exercise prescriptions, and client/patient interactions through internships would be a plus.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Saori Hanaki: Keep open-minded. Exercise science/kinesiology is an interdisciplinary field of study that allows you to explore options in different professional areas including fitness, coaching, healthcare-related fields, and education. With experiences after college, your professional interests likely evolve.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Saori Hanaki: As with any other professions, transferable skills including information literacy - the ability to locate, assess the credibility of information available, and making a sound decision based on information available will be critical in exercise science professionals. This allows you to continue updating the knowledge and the abilities to perform responsibilities effectively and safely, whether it is personal training, providing clinical care, or conducting research. The ability to work in a team/collaborate is another important skill for anyone who wants to be successful in exercise science and related fields.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Ronald Otterstetter Ph.D., FACSM: Being proficient in the latest technology and its use within the field. Staying up to date on the latest research and being able to apply the information into everyday interactions and scenarios. Being flexible and skilled to work with different populations to help achieve whatever their exercise goals might be.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ronald Otterstetter Ph.D., FACSM: Try to maximize your experiences before entering the field. Be proactive and try to expose yourself to as many skills and settings as possible, so that when you encounter it in your job, you'll know how to deal with it. The more expertise you bring to the job and acquire during your work, the more valuable you will be as an employee.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Ronald Otterstetter Ph.D., FACSM: Take every opportunity to make yourself a better professional. Seek to learn skills that will make you so integral to the company that you can’t be replaced. Work on people skills: both with the ones you work with and the ones you work for. Be open to advice and constructive criticism. They will both make you better in the long run.
Dr. Brian Rider Ph.D, CSCS, FACSM
Associate Professor & Exercise Science Program DirectorHope College
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Dr. Brian Rider Ph.D, CSCS, FACSM: The professor did not provide a specific answer to this question.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Brian Rider Ph.D, CSCS, FACSM: Most students who are graduating with a degree in Kinesiology or Exercise Science pursue graduate school to become Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, or Athletic Trainers. Others become personal trainers or strength conditioning coaches. Some work in medical centers in cardiac rehabilitation units.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Brian Rider Ph.D, CSCS, FACSM: The field of kinesiology and/or exercise science is important due to the aging population dealing with lifestyle diseases. Exercise is crucial in managing and preventing these diseases.
Dr. Matthew Miltenberger PhD, CSCS, ATC
Associate ProfessorEast Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Dr. Matthew Miltenberger PhD, CSCS, ATC: Maximizing salary comes down to a few things: 1. Education/ degree having an MS enhances starting salaries. 2. Certifications through national organizations like NSCA and ACSM. 3. Specialize within the field, find your area. 4. Market your skills on your resume… what can you do from a technology standpoint, what equipment are you proficient in using, special coursework or certificates. 5. Get involved while in school, do an internship or several, make contact with experts in the field, volunteer within the field. Get your name out there and make connections!
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Matthew Miltenberger PhD, CSCS, ATC: Without a doubt technology is the future, using force plates, 3D camera systems, accelerometers, equipment like catapult and others are just the beginning. Tracking athletes in real time, assessing fatigue, performance readiness, sleep quality and many more are here now and only getting more advanced. The other aspect is with robotics, prosthetics, equipment that improves quality of life/ mobility, it is amazing what kinesiologists, exercise scientists, and biomechanists are doing!
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Matthew Miltenberger PhD, CSCS, ATC: A couple pieces of advice I would give is trust your education and be confident in the skills you learned, the next is really important, be a life long learner, continue to learn new skills, challenge yourself to grow. Lastly, I would say that the field of kinesiology is so diverse and ever changing, find your specialty/ niche and become the expert!
Michael Lockard Ph.D.
Professor of Exercise and Health ScienceWillamette University
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Michael Lockard Ph.D.: Of the many potential career paths seen within Kinesiology and Exercise Science, they commonly involve working directly with people (patients, athletes, clients, or students) to help improve their health, function, and overall well-being. Regardless of the specific career, this can be extremely rewarding on a daily basis.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Lockard Ph.D.: In the United States, the term kinesiologist can be used to describe someone who has studied/earned a degree in Kinesiology; however, the term does not describe a specific profession. Kinesiology is broadly defined as the study of human movement; more specifically how physical activity affects health, function, quality of life, and society as a whole. As a broad discipline, many students earn degrees in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Human Physiology, and others. There are numerous career pathways that someone may enter with a degree in Kinesiology. These careers commonly include physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, medicine, sports psychology, public health, coaching, personal training, clinical research, cardiac rehabilitation, biomechanics, and exercise physiology among many others.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Michael Lockard Ph.D.: As a discipline, Kinesiology and Exercise Science have experienced significant growth beyond that of other sciences over the last few decades. This growth has coincided with the continued growth of related fields such as allied health, rehabilitation, sports performance, and training. There continues to be significant demand within these fields for the foreseeable future.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Matthew Ibrahim Ph.D.(c): Become as versatile as possible. That's going to separate you from your peers. We live in a day and age where having one set of skills simply isn't enough. It is imperative that you develop as many skills as possible that pertain to the career field, which in turn will make you more valuable. The more value you bring to the table, the greater the asset you become to a company. It's as simple as that.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew Ibrahim Ph.D.(c): Without a doubt, I would strongly encourage students and up-and-coming professionals to build soft skills through effective communication, develop coaching skills through efficient instruction, and lastly, improve their public speaking skills. Notice how all 3 of these skills are related to the communication side of things. Ultimately, this is where I feel most strongly that we can improve as a whole, especially with the rise in technology. After you've mastered these 3 skills, I would encourage you to then begin to learn the nuances of the technology side of things in our field since that area is only going to grow the more it is around.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Matthew Ibrahim Ph.D.(c): If you're about to graduate with a degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology, my top 3 recommendations would be: #1 - Be yourself. Avoid trying to mimic others in the field. Steer clear of a simple 'copy and paste'. Most importantly, forge a path of your own. I know that this may sound too simple, but I firmly believe in being yourself in every avenue of life. Ultimately, you will attract what you exude; therefore, exude energy, enthusiasm, curiosity and a deep passion for your work. #2 - Be patient. So many young, up-and-coming professionals in our field (i.e., Strength and Conditioning, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, etc.) seem to be in a rush and want to leap past the journey to the end result. In my humble opinion, it is the journey that teaches you life's most valuable lessons, especially as they pertain to this career field. Instead of leaping past these valuable career lessons, lean into them, learn from them and grow from them. #3 - Seek mentorship. After graduating with a degree in this field, you may feel lost, unsure of your next steps or confused. Trust me, this is very typical. I've been there before as well. One thing that truly helped me along my path when I was in your shoes was to seek out mentors in and out of the career field. In doing so, I was able to develop from a professional standpoint, and I was also able to grow my overall network. In my book, it was a huge win-win for my career, especially in the early stages. Ultimately, this need for mentorship is why I created my mentorship program for students and up-and-coming professionals like yourself: Athletic Performance University (APU).
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Maryse Fortin PhD, CAT(C): Make sure you individualize your approach when working with clients. It is critical to fully understand their needs, psychosocial background, and goals. It’s also important for kinesiologists to stay on top of research and the latest clinical practices/standards. Getting involved in research is a great way to continue learning throughout your career.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maryse Fortin PhD, CAT(C): Be proactive, continue to expand your network and do not close any doors or opportunities that present themselves. There are many interesting job opportunities in different areas in health and fitness-related sectors.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Maryse Fortin PhD, CAT(C): Be proactive, look for opportunities that may be “outside the box” and don’t be scared to start your own business.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Dr. Joshua Wooten Ph.D.: People like the opportunity to help others improve their physical and mental well-being. However, the salaries can vary depending on the specific specialization within Kinesiology.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Joshua Wooten Ph.D.: Kinesiology is the broad study of human movement. Graduates can specialize in areas such as Exercise Physiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, or Physical Education and Coaching Pedagogy. They can work in a variety of settings like cardiac rehabilitation, personal training, strength and conditioning, or mental performance coaching.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Joshua Wooten Ph.D.: Kinesiology offers diverse career opportunities in helping people physically and mentally. Graduates can pursue certifications like Certified Exercise Physiologists, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists, Certified Mental Performance Coaches, or enhance their coaching and teaching abilities.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Dr. Josh Miller: Kinesiology is an umbrella term used in our field that describes the analysis of human movement, anatomical, biomechanical, pathological, and the neurophysiological aspects of movement. Within Kinesiology there are many educational opportunities that our students can pursue if they choose to in professional schools (i.e. physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical school, physician's assistant, etc.), graduate school (i.e. Master's degree in a specialized discipline of the field - exercise physiology (the study of how the body responds to exercise), biomechanics (the study of movement), or sport psychology), or find a position (i.e. personal trainer, health coach, strength coach, etc.). It is difficult to answer your question of what does a Kinesiologist do on a day-to-day basis. This would depend upon the job that they have. A good example would be someone who works in Cardiac-Pulmonary Rehabilitation. On an average day, the individual would work with patients that have had a cardiovascular event (heart surgery, stents, arrhthymias, and other related issues) in i-hour classes that incorporate aerobic exercise, stretching, and some resistance training. There may be some education to help with making changes to lifestyle (i.e. diet, stress, etc.). Additionally, they may work with patients that have just had an event or surgery.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Josh Miller: I think that students choose this field because of an underlying desire to help individuals make changes in their lives. Many of our students have spoken about a family member that worked with a PT or OT that helped them change their life. Some of our students are former athletes that were injured and worked with Athletic Trainers and Strength Coaches and really enjoyed the relationships that were formed with them and want to continue them. I think the biggest dislike that some may have is the initial challenge of getting their dream job. Working with professional athletes is very tough and many students wish is to do so and trying to get into this area is tough. Another area that some report is the time for writing notes, as this is time away from patients that they would want to be with them.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Josh Miller: The job market is unlimited. The student can pursue working with clients as a personal trainer or strength coach in a specific sport. This could be working with youth athletes or high school athletes that are transitioning into college sport or college athletes preparing for the sport specific combine. Another example is a student that has completed a Bachelor's degree and goes to Physician's Assistants school can use their education on exercise and nutrition to help educate their patients in lifestyle management. The ability to use their education from the Bachelor's program in their graduate programming only makes the student a great candidate for a program and then when they graduate from the program there is a potential to have knowledge that is not always taught in these programs.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Heather Sanderson Ed.D., CSCS (she/her/hers): Interpersonal skills, technological skills, and adaptability would be my top three skills I see are needed in the next 3-5 years. Young adults are struggling with interpersonal communication due to technology and as a field that works directly with patients, clients, and students the ability to have direct conversations will be vitally important to the care of their clientele. Furthermore, our global society has influenced the variety of people kinesiologists will come in contact with. So cultural competence is important when communicating with people from various backgrounds. The advancement of technology in a fast-paced market has made it imperative that up-to-date technology skills and adaptability to ongoing changes are needed for future professionals.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Heather Sanderson Ed.D., CSCS (she/her/hers): I always teach students to ask for three things when negotiating a salary - 1. Ask for something you need (higher pay, flexible hours, telecommute, professional development funds, etc) 2. Ask for something you want but don't need (a specific type of computer/phone, office location, moving expense, specific type of benefit), 3. Ask for something to enhance your position (better title, bonuses, more vacation, PTO). As a women's college, our students must work on their negotiation skills as statistically employers pay women less and give them fewer incentives. So I educate our students to know their worth and be proactive to ensure their success.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Heather Sanderson Ed.D., CSCS (she/her/hers): Depending upon if the student plans to attend a post-graduate program in the health or medical field (most of ours plan that direction), I would say it is important to start working towards a career while in college. For example, students should attend conferences to network with peers and professionals in the field. These connections will help when the time comes to look for employment opportunities. Furthermore, students should obtain certifications in addition to degrees as many employers in kinesiology require these credentials beyond a bachelor degree. Students should also take advantage of co-curricular leadership and research experiences to build transferable skills in the workplace. These experiences can give students an edge on obtaining a full-time position.
Holly Roberts PT, PhD
Director and Associate ProfessorUniversity of Puget Sound
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Holly Roberts PT, PhD: Residency or fellowship training and/or ABPTS board certification can improve salary potential in some settings. It is important for graduates to consider things that are valuable beyond salary. You might value additional time off (flex days or floating holidays), paid continuing education, paid membership for your professional organization, or a flexible schedule. After a certain point, those benefits may be more negotiable than salary.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Holly Roberts PT, PhD: I think technology will play a bigger role in rehabilitation. It will be important to identify valid and reliable technology tools to enhance rehabilitative care. I also think that AI is going to become more prevalent in our field. It will be important for physical therapists to determine when AI may enhance care or improve clinical efficiency. However, AI cannot replace the clinical reasoning of a Doctor of Physical Therapy, nor can it use its hands to assess, guide, or facilitate movement.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Holly Roberts PT, PhD: I advise new graduates to be open to new experiences. We are lifelong learners and there are advances in rehabilitation science every day. Ask questions. Identify a formal or informal mentor, but also know that new graduates have something to teach more "seasoned" clinicians as well. I also recommend considering residency or fellowship training and pursuing specialist certification. Finally, find a way to contribute to enhancing our profession and improving the quality of care for patients. That could be through advocacy, research, health promotion and wellness, or clinical instruction.
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Angela Hillman PhD, EPC: Create connections and network – get the word out about what you do! Many individuals do not know what an exercise physiologist is, what their knowledge base is or the skills they possess. Exercise physiology is often a heavy science-based degree and thus graduates are well versed in the human body (anatomy) and the inner workings (physiology) and know how these things change with exercise (or lack thereof). Spread the word about what you know, what you can do and work with people of diverse backgrounds to improve your skills.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Angela Hillman PhD, EPC: Empathy, communication, and problem solving. Everyone is coming to you from a different place in life – having empathy and understanding of that will get you extremely far in working with people. Communicating effectively, spending time with clients and patients and bringing the science down to an understandable level is super important. Solving problems is critical – clients won’t always feel exactly the same each time they come so you’ll have to problem solve and be adaptable.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Angela Hillman PhD, EPC: Gain certifications that mean something to the industry (such as ACSM or ACE), gain skills that will help you reach a wider audience (dry needling, myofascial release), offer services that others aren’t – like group resistance training classes for women or in-home personal training, network and attend conferences and gain continuing education credits to keep you up to date and engaged.
Nathan Hess PT, DPT, Ph.D. Candidate
Assistant ProfessorAndrews University
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Physical Therapist?
Nathan Hess PT, DPT, Ph.D. Candidate: PTs like helping people achieve their goals and return to desired functional levels but dislike dealing with insurance and paperwork.
What Physical Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nathan Hess PT, DPT, Ph.D. Candidate: Employment of PTs is expected to grow by 15% over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
What will help Physical Therapists increase their earning potential?
Nathan Hess PT, DPT, Ph.D. Candidate: A PT evaluates and treats patients with mostly neurological or musculoskeletal injuries, focusing on improving mobility, maximizing function, and managing pain.