Physical Therapist

What it pays in the U.S.

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.

Wage figures are 2025 survey data for United States, shown nationally because no state figure was reported. They describe what people in this job earn now, not what any one person will be offered.

What the work actually is

• Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.
• Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
• Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.
• Refer clients to community resources or services.
• Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

Read the full Occupational Outlook Handbook entry from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Licensing, by state

Licensing is set by each state, so there is no national answer. Choose a state above to see which licenses it requires for this career, or look one up with the CareerOneStop License Finder.

Certifications employers recognize

These are national certifications, issued by industry bodies rather than a state. Most are optional, but they are how you prove skill to an employer.

• Women's Health Physical Therapy Specialist

  American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties · Specialty

• Certified Wound Specialist

  American Board of Wound Management · Specialty

• Clinical Electrophysiologic Physical Therapy Specialist

  American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties · Specialty

• Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback Entry Level Certification

  Biofeedback Certification International Alliance · Specialty

• National Physical Therapist Examination

  Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy · Core

• Board Certified Polarity Practitioner

  American Polarity Therapy Association · Advanced

• Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy

  International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine - US · Advanced

• Oncology Physical Therapy Specialist Certification

  American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties · Specialty

• Geriatric Physical Therapy Specialist

  American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties · Specialty

• Registered Kinesiotherapy

  Council on Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy · Core

• Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist

  American Academy of Health, Fitness, & Rehabilitation Professionals · Specialty

• Wound Care Certification

  National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy · Specialty

Apprenticeships, by state

Registered apprenticeships pay you while you train. Each state runs its own registration office, which is where to start when you want to find an open program.

Choose a state above to see the offices that register apprenticeships there.

Search open programs directly at apprenticeship.gov.