Physical Therapist: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Physical Therapists earn a national median of $101,020/yr with 10.9% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Therapy and Counseling, Medicine and Dentistry.
Median Salary
$101,020
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
10.9%
Faster than average
Employed Nationally
248,630
2024 data
Typical Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Physical Therapist
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Physical Therapist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Physical Therapist performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Physical Therapist roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 10.9% for Physical Therapist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 248,630
- Projected Growth
- 10.9%
- Typical Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Physical Therapist do?
- Physical Therapists apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Therapy and Counseling, Medicine and Dentistry to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking.
- How much does a Physical Therapist make?
- The national median salary for a Physical Therapist is $101,020 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Physical Therapist a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Physical Therapist roles is projected to grow 10.9% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 248,630 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Physical Therapist?
- The typical entry-level education for a Physical Therapist is Doctoral or professional degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Physical Therapists need?
- The most important skills for Physical Therapist roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Writing, Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management. Key tools and technologies include: eClinicalWorks EHR software, MEDITECH software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.