How much does a physical therapist make?

The median pay is $49.40 per hour — roughly $103,000 a year, with the real range running from about $37.09/hr (10th percentile) to $64.97/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a physical therapist?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a physical therapist actually do all day?

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.

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Physical Therapists

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.

What it pays
Physical Therapists earn a median of $49.40/hr — about $103,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $37.09/hr; the top 10% earn $64.97/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

You're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 4.5% of physical therapists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and hands-on.

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Related careers

Quick questions

How much does a physical therapist make?: The median pay is $49.40 per hour — roughly $103,000 a year, with the real range running from about $37.09/hr (10th percentile) to $64.97/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a physical therapist?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a physical therapist actually do all day?: 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.