Career Specializations

• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary: Cardiovascular physical therapy is in high demand, because of the prevalence of heart attacks in the United States. Pulmonary physical therapists work with patients who have suffered lung diseases or disorders. 
• Clinical Electrophysiology: Electrophysiology is the study of the electric functions of the body, and physical therapists who specialize in this area are prepared to record and interpret monitored data and apply their findings to a patient's physical therapy plan. 
• Geriatric: Geriatric physical therapy will be more and more in-demand as the United States population ages, because geriatrics is the study of the elderly and aging. Elderly patients often deal with multiple physical issues, including muscle or joint pain and soreness, and diseases or other medical issues, often requiring the help of physical therapists. 
• Neurology: Neurology physical therapists must be extremely patient, as progress with patients suffering from brain injuries is often very slow. Neurology physical therapists must often help people re-learn basic functions, including walking and talking. 
• Orthopedic: Orthopedic physical therapy is one of the most common kinds of physical therapy, as they work with people who have broken or weak bones. 
• Pediatric: Pediatric physical therapy is therapy administered to young children or babies. Those who work in this profession must be patient and good with young children. 
• Sports: Professional sports teams, college sports teams, and fitness centers often employ physical therapists to work with injured athletes. Some colleges offer entire degree programs dedicated to this specialization, usually known as sports medicine. 

Back to Top

Degree Levels Available for Physical Therapy

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 2-3 years to complete

Back to Top

Education & Certification Requirements 

Physical therapists have a fairly wide range of education backgrounds. Some community colleges offer preliminary or basic physical therapy programs that can prepare students to become physical therapy assistants, or equip them with the skills to work in massage therapy at physical therapist offices.

However, generally, a physical therapist must hold a post-graduate degree to earn licensure and to qualify to open a practice. There are 212 physical therapy programs in the United States that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education, 200 of which offer doctoral degrees. The remaining programs lead to master's degrees. (CAPTE)

Most physical therapy programs are grounded in the sciences -- chemistry, physics, anatomy, biology, and kinesiology -- and students who hold bachelor's degrees in all of these areas eventually go into physical therapy preparation programs. Classes include gerontology, orthopedics, clinical assessment, statistics, and medical law, which is especially useful for students who aspire to open their own practice. 

Every state in the United States has its own set of regulations that govern the practice of physical therapy. All physical therapists must graduate from an accredited program. Most states also mandate that prospective therapists also pass the National Physical Therapy Examination, which features questions on kinesiology, muscles, skeletal systems, recovery theories, and medical ethics. Additional requirements vary greatly by state, but occasionally include professional development hours. (FSBPT)

Back to Top

Salary Information

Physical therapists, on average, earn between $60,300 and $85,540 annually. Most physical therapists hold postgraduate degrees, although employers generally focus on experience when administering pay  increases, rather than extended education. The median annual earnings for all physical therapists in the United States is $72,790 annually. 

Back to Top

Job Outlook

The demand for physical therapists in the coming years is expected to be quite high. 30 percent employment growth in the industry is expected over the decade leading up to 2018, which should provide good job opportunities for qualified physical therapists. Professionals who have earned master's degrees, and those who choose less popular specializations such as geriatrics or neurology, will find that they have the best job options. More opportunities are usually available in larger metropolitan areas, with large health care settings and smaller private practices. (BLS)

Back to Top

Related Careers

Fitness trainers can often perform tasks similar to physical therapists, particularly because both are often asked to provide advice and counsel on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyles. Fitness trainers often work with those who are injured or recovering from injuries and surgeries, seeking to improve the function of their bodies. Unlike physical therapists, fitness and personal trainers do not have to complete extensive education, and can usually work with only certification. 

A health educator is a person responsible for providing information and counsel on issues regarding nutrition, fitness, and disease control. Increasingly, public and private schools are hiring health educators who typically have a minimum of a bachelor's degree to help keep students informed on healthy living choices. However, health educators usually work as consultants for hospitals, clinics, or private agencies.

Nutritionists are essentially a specific type of health educator. They are responsible for providing guidance for people in regards to their food choices, which is a service that those recovering from injuries and surgeries are often in need of. Nutritionists may have an associate degree, but a bachelor's degree is typically preferred. 

Back to Top