Physical therapy (PT) is the practice of helping people improve their quality of life by optimizing their ability to move. While there are several types of physical therapy jobs — including physical therapist assistant and physical therapy aide — a physical therapist is someone who has earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. While a number of physical therapists work in hospitals, many establish careers in other settings including outpatient clinics and offices, schools, rehabilitation facilities, nursing facilities, and more, according to information from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

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Physical therapists examine patients and develop a plan of treatment encompassing techniques to improve movement, reduce or eliminate pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Though physical therapy is often associated with the treatment and recovery phase of patient care, DPT-trained professionals independently diagnose and treat movement difficulties.

Primary physical therapist responsibilities include:

Working closely with their patients, physical therapists provide treatment through exercise, traction, patient and family education, and other modalities. This is why the role of a physical therapist demands the highest level of education compared to other physical therapy positions — typically three years of postgraduate study.

A physical therapist assistant maintains their own license but works under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Because they do not diagnose or create treatment plans of their own, physical therapist assistants tend to have fewer responsibilities than physical therapists. They implement certain aspects of patient treatment, obtain data related to treatments, and modify treatment as directed by the supervising physical therapist. Physical therapy assistants may perform the following duties: 

To become a physical therapist assistant, you need to complete a degree program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and pass a national licensing exam.

Physical therapy aides report to the supervising physical therapist as well as any collaborating physical therapy assistants. Among PT professionals, physical therapy aides have the least amount of responsibility. Physical therapy aides typically perform tasks that are indirectly related to patient care, such as:

Employers typically prefer physical therapy aides to have earned a high school diploma or GED, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There is a physical therapy technician/aide certification available through the American Medical Certification Association, but this is not mandatory for most physical therapy aide positions.

While physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapist aides vary in their responsibilities, salary, and required education, they do have some overlapping job requirements.

Basic skills for physical therapists and related careers include:

Some physical therapy skills, like the ones listed below, can transfer to various job environments.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education ensures the quality of physical therapy education programs throughout the country. But how much education does a physical therapist need? There is some variation between programs, but most CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate programs are three years long and require a bachelor’s degree for admission, according to information from the American Physical Therapy Association. 

DPT degree holders may complete optional residencies and fellowships to further their education. Physical therapists can also pursue specialty certification in fields like geriatrics, orthopedics, pediatrics, and others through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Physical therapy assistants must obtain a two-year associate degree from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education program. Many physical therapy aides earn a high school diploma or GED, and can benefit from having the basic and transferable skills listed above.

Every physical therapy graduate must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in order to obtain the appropriate state license or certification. Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. State regulatory boards manage licensure for each state and specific licensure requirements vary according to each state’s physical therapy practice act, but all require a minimum score of 600 on the NPTE. Physical therapy aides do not require any special certification.

Physical therapist salaries vary depending on education level, years of experience, work environment, and location, among other factors. The median annual wage for physical therapists was $97,720 in May 2022, according to the BLS.

The lowest 10% of physical therapists earned a median annual wage of less than $67,910 in May 2022, compared to the lowest 10% of physical therapist assistants and aides who earned less than $22,380. 

Physical therapy is a rapidly growing field, especially with the aging U.S. population requiring increased healthcare services. There were about 246,800 practicing physical therapists in 2022, and the BLS projects a 15% increase in physical therapist employment from 2022-2032, compared to an average growth rate of 3% across all professions. The BLS projects a 19% increase in employment for physical therapy assistants and aides through 2032.     

Find below the states with the highest annual mean wages for physical therapists as of May 2022:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 29-1123 Physical Therapists

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022

Last updated December 2023