Physical Therapist

Explore This Path

Help people regain mobility and live pain-free lives through personalized care.
Make a meaningful impact by restoring physical function and enhancing quality of life.
Use innovative techniques to transform recovery journeys and inspire patient progress.

💰 Earn $96K-$133K

📚 Doctoral or Professional Degree

⏱️ 48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 14.2% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Doctoral or Professional Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

Over 4 years

Job Openings

13,600 Annually

Median Earnings

$115,550 in California

$99,710 Nationally

$25K

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$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Physical Therapist? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@theptbean

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Relating with or serving others
Thinking and problem solving
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Coordination
Critical Thinking
Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Personal relationships
Receiving recognition

Deep Dive

Physical Therapist

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years