Physical Therapist

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.

On the job, you would:

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.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Physical therapists must clearly explain treatment programs, motivate patients, and listen to patients’ concerns in order to provide effective therapy.

Compassion. Physical therapists spend a lot of time interacting with patients, so they should have a desire to help people. They work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for their patients.

Detail oriented. Like other healthcare providers, physical therapists should have strong analytic and observational skills to diagnose a patient’s problem, evaluate treatments, and provide safe, effective care.

Dexterity. Physical therapists must use their hands to provide manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. They should feel comfortable massaging and otherwise physically assisting patients.

Physical stamina. Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, moving to demonstrate proper techniques and to help patients perform exercises. They should enjoy physical activity.

Resourcefulness. Physical therapists customize treatment plans for patients. They must be flexible and adapt plans of care to meet the needs of each patient.

Time-management skills. Physical therapists typically treat several patients each day. They must be able to provide appropriate care to patients as well as complete administrative tasks, such as documenting patient progress.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		95%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		95%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		92%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
		92%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		91%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		91%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		87%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		86%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		85%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		85%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		85%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		83%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		77%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		77%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		77%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		69%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		100%	Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
		78%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		56%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		95%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
		78%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		78%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		72%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		72%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		61%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		75%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		72%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		72%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		72%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		72%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		72%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		69%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		69%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		56%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		56%	Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
		56%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		53%	Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
		53%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		53%	Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
		53%	Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		63%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		59%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		59%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		57%	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
		57%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		57%	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
		55%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		55%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		55%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		54%	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
		54%	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
		52%	Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.

Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

Develop medical treatment plans.

Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

Record patient medical histories.

Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.

Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments.

Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.

Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.

Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

Enter patient or treatment data into computers.

Record patient medical histories.

Process healthcare paperwork.

Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

Process healthcare paperwork.

Test patient heart or lung functioning.

Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

Record patient medical histories.

Establish treatment goals.

Record patient medical histories.

Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.

Supervise medical support personnel.

Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.

Train medical providers.

Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices.

Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

Communicate health and wellness information to the public.

Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

Design public or employee health programs.

Advise others on matters of public policy.

Fabricate medical devices.

Direct healthcare delivery programs.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		99%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		98%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		97%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		95%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		94%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		91%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		90%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		89%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		88%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		87%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		85%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		82%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		81%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		78%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		78%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		71%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		70%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		69%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		69%	Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
		69%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		68%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		67%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		67%	Exposed to Disease or Infections - How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
		61%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		55%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		52%	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
		51%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		93%	Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		92%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		88%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		86%	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		85%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		82%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		81%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		77%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		77%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		75%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		75%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		74%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		74%	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
		73%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		72%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		72%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		72%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		71%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		70%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		69%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		67%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		67%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		65%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		62%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		61%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		59%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		59%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		56%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		55%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		53%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		52%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

What Physical Therapists Do

Physical therapists evaluate and record a patient’s progress.

Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They are often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.

Duties

Physical therapists typically do the following:

Review patients’ medical history and referrals or notes from doctors, surgeons, or other healthcare workers
Diagnose patients’ functions and movements by observing them stand or walk and by listening to their concerns
Develop individualized plans of care for patients, outlining the patients’ goals and the expected outcomes of the plans
Use exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients’ pain, help them increase their mobility, prevent further pain or injury, and facilitate health and wellness
Evaluate and record a patients’ progress, modifying the plan of care and trying new treatments as needed
Educate patients and their families about what to expect from the recovery process and how to cope with challenges throughout the process

Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, care for people of all ages who have functional problems resulting from back and neck injuries; sprains, strains, and fractures; arthritis; amputations; neurological disorders, such as stroke or cerebral palsy; injuries related to work and sports; and other conditions.

Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to care for their patients. These techniques include exercises; training in functional movement, which may include the use of equipment such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers; and special movements of joints, muscles, and other soft tissue to improve mobility and decrease pain.

The work of physical therapists varies by type of patient. For example, a patient working to recover mobility lost after a stroke needs care different from that of a patient recovering from a sports injury. Some physical therapists specialize in one type of care, such as orthopedics or geriatrics. Many physical therapists also help patients maintain or improve mobility by developing fitness and wellness programs that encourage healthy, active lifestyles.

Physical therapists work as part of a healthcare team, overseeing the work of physical therapist assistants and aides and consulting with physicians and surgeons and other specialists.

Work Environment

Physical therapists held about 246,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of physical therapists were as follows:

Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists	35%
Hospitals; state, local, and private	28
Home healthcare services	10
Nursing and residential care facilities	5
Self-employed workers	4

Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, working with patients. Because they must often lift and move patients, they are vulnerable to back injuries. Physical therapists can limit these risks by using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques when assisting patients.

Work Schedules

Most physical therapists work full time, although part time work is common. They usually work during normal business hours, but some work evenings or weekends.

Getting Started

Education:

47%

Doctoral Degree

38%

Master's Degree

How to Become a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching, to treat patients.

Physical therapists entering the occupation need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed.

Education

Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

DPT programs typically last 3 years. Physical therapy programs typically require a bachelor's degree, which may be in recreation and fitness or healthcare and related fields, and prerequisite courses such as anatomy, chemistry, and physics.

Most DPT programs require candidates to apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

Physical therapist programs often include courses in biomechanics, neuroscience, and pharmacology. Physical therapist students also complete clinical work, during which they gain supervised experience in areas such as acute care and orthopedic care.

Physical therapists may apply to a clinical residency program after graduation. Residencies typically last about 1 year and provide additional training and experience in specialty areas of care. Physical therapists who have completed a residency program may choose to specialize further by participating in a fellowship in an advanced clinical area. The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education has directories of physical therapist residency and fellowship programs.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states require physical therapists to be licensed, which includes passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Other requirements vary by state. For example, some states also require a law exam and a criminal background check. Continuing education is typically required for physical therapists to keep their license. Check with your state board for specific licensing requirements.

After gaining work experience, some physical therapists choose to become a board-certified specialist. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers certification in clinical specialty areas of physical therapy, such as orthopedics, sports, and geriatrics. Board specialist certification requires passing an exam and completing clinical work in the specialty area.

Job Outlook

Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 13,900 openings for physical therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand for physical therapy will come, in part, from the large number of aging baby boomers, who are staying more active later in life than their counterparts of previous generations. Older people are more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, and mobility-related injuries that require physical therapy for rehabilitation.

In addition, a number of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, have become prevalent. More physical therapists will be needed to help people with these conditions maintain their mobility and manage their disease or illness.

A greater emphasis on non-opioid approaches to manage pain also is expected to support employment growth.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about physical therapists, visit

American Physical Therapy Association

For more information about accredited physical therapy programs, visit

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

For more information about state licensing requirements and about the National Physical Therapy Exam, visit

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

For more information about certification, visit

American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties

For more information about residency and fellowship opportunities, visit

American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education

For more information about how to apply to DPT programs, visit

Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of physical therapists.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Audiologists	Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat patients who have hearing, balance, or related problems.	Doctoral or professional degree	$82,680
Chiropractors	Chiropractors evaluate and treat patients' neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.	Doctoral or professional degree	$75,380
Occupational Therapists	Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.	Master's degree	$93,180
Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides	Physical therapist assistants and aides are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses.	See How to Become One	$57,240
Recreational Therapists	Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.	Bachelor's degree	$51,330
Speech-Language Pathologists	Speech-language pathologists assess and treat people who have communication disorders.	Master's degree	$84,140
Athletic Trainers	Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.	Master's degree	$53,840
Exercise Physiologists	Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover.	Bachelor's degree	$51,350
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners	Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare.	Master's degree	$125,900
Physician Assistants	Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.	Master's degree	$126,010

Physical Therapist

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Physical Therapists Do

Duties

Work Environment

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become a Physical Therapist

Education

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

Similar Occupations