Physical Therapist Salary Guide
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- Physical Therapist Salary Insights
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A physical therapist treats movement issues caused by injuries, health conditions and disabilities. They evaluate patients and recommend ways to reduce pain, restore function and improve quality of life. Treatment may involve exercises or hands-on therapy, such as massage and stretching. PTs also counsel patients and help them manage their recovery process.
How do you become a physical therapist?
Aspiring physical therapists must earn a bachelor's degree, followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). DPT programs must receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
DPT programs combine classroom studies and clinical experience and usually take 3 years to complete. Some physical therapists continue to residencies or fellowships to specialize in an area of practice.
To work as a PT, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and obtain a license in the state where you wish to practice.
What credentials/licensing does a physical therapist require?
Once you pass the NPTE and have your physical therapist credentials, apply to your state's regulatory board for a license. Licensure requirements vary by state.
Travel PTs need a license for each state they practice in. The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact streamlines licensing for PTs who live and work in member states. However, only 28 states are actively issuing and accepting Compact privileges, and four more states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation. However, they’re still in the process of implementing the Compact requirements before they can become active.
PTs interested in specific practice areas can earn additional specialty credentials to demonstrate expertise in the following:
Average Physical Therapist Salary
$51.01/hour
The average salary for a Physical Therapist is $51.01 per hour. This is 6% higher than the therapy US average of $48.15.
Last updated on December 20, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Salaries for Physical Therapist compared to Therapist National Averages
$51.01/hour
6% higher than the therapy US average.
$48.15/hour
United States
Where do Physical Therapists get paid the most?
| State | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | $61 | $78 |
| Idaho | $58 | $62 |
| New Jersey | $53 | $55 |
| Illinois | $48 | $54 |
| Arizona | $48 | $50 |
| Washington | $48 | $53 |
| Georgia | $48 | $58 |
| Oregon | $47 | $64 |
| Colorado | $47 | $49 |
| Delaware | $46 | $49 |
| Maryland | $46 | $52 |
| Pennsylvania | $46 | $56 |
| Florida | $45 | $55 |
| Texas | $45 | $53 |
| Missouri | $44 | $55 |
| Oklahoma | $44 | $50 |
| Virginia | $44 | $49 |
| Ohio | $44 | $46 |
| South Carolina | $43 | $45 |
| Louisiana | $43 | $46 |
| Alabama | $42 | $45 |
| West Virginia | $42 | $44 |
| Indiana | $42 | $46 |
| North Carolina | $41 | $46 |
| Wisconsin | $41 | $54 |
| Rhode Island | $40 | $52 |
| Arkansas | $40 | $43 |
| Kentucky | $40 | $45 |
| Mississippi | $39 | $43 |
| New Hampshire | $38 | $44 |
| Massachusetts | $37 | $53 |
| Michigan | $34 | $47 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Physical Therapist jobs?
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| MGA Homecare | $71 | $71 |
| Sutter Health | $69 | $80 |
| Palm Health Resources | $63 | $64 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $62 | $77 |
| Community Medical Centers | $59 | $60 |
| Stability Direct | $53 | $59 |
| Inova Health System | $53 | $53 |
| Adventist Health | $52 | $59 |
| Lifepoint Health | $50 | $58 |
| St. Luke's Health System | $50 | $50 |
Last updated on December 20, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Physical Therapist Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Physical Therapist Jobs
Physical Therapist
- Advocate Christ Medical Center
- Oak Lawn, IL
- Days
- Sign-On Bonus
Home Health Physical Therapist
- LHC Group
- Effingham, IL
- Sign-On Bonus
Physical Therapist
- Advocate Christ Medical Center
- Oak Lawn, IL
- Days
- Sign-On Bonus
Home Health Physical Therapist
- Aurora Health Center- Mequon
- Mequon, WI
- Days
Float Physical Therapist
- Aurora Saint Luke's Medical Center
- Milwaukee, WI
- Days
- Sign-On Bonus
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How can you increase your pay as a physical therapist?
Salaries vary by workplace setting. On average, PT salaries are higher in outpatient care and home health than in hospitals. As you build your career, consider becoming a board-certified specialist in geriatrics, oncology or orthopedics, qualifying you for better-paying jobs.
How much does a staff physical therapist make?
Staff physical therapists (PTs) earned an average salary of $46.64 per hour on March 29, 2023, based on Vivian's salary data.
Is physical therapy a growing career?
The employment outlook is bright for physical therapists, with an expected 17% growth in PT jobs between 2021 and 2031, according to May 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). PTs can expect about 15,400 job openings a year during this period.
Much of this growth is driven by the increasing population of older adults recovering from injuries, managing chronic conditions and maintaining their independence.
What types of employers/facilities have the most physical therapists employed?
Most physical therapists work in health practitioner offices or hospitals.
How does physical therapist pay compare to similar healthcare jobs?
Staff physical therapists earned an average of $46.64 per hour, according to Vivian's data on March 29, 2023, slightly less than other allied health therapists. The average staff occupational therapist (OT) salary was $49.90 per hour, 7% more than staff PTs. The average staff speech-language pathologist (SLP) salary was $48.26 per hour, about 3.5% more than staff PTs.
The picture is different for travel positions. On the same date, travel PTs earned an average of $2,054 per week, about 4.4% higher than the average weekly travel OT salary of $1,967. This wage was also 1.6% higher than the average weekly SLP travel salary of $2,022.
Featured Blog Posts
Featured Blog Posts
Physical Therapist FAQs
What professional certifications can potentially increase my salary as a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists can specialize in several fields, so numerous certifications may potentially increase your salary or qualify you for roles with greater responsibilities and better wages. The American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties offers numerous professional certificates in physical therapy by specialty, including:
Geriatrics Specialist (GCS)
Pediatric Certified Specialist (PCS)
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
Oncologic Certified Specialist (Oncology)
Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS)
Women’s Health Clinical Specialist (WCS)
Clinical Electrophysiologic Specialty (ECS)
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Specialist (CCS)
Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS)
Can earning a degree improve my salary as a Physical Therapist?
Yes, advanced education often opens new career paths that usually lead to higher salaries. Physical therapists may benefit financially from pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).
Where can I learn more about working as a Physical Therapist?
Take a look at Vivian's Physical Therapist Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.