Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
Physical therapy helps people recover movement and manage pain after injuries, surgery or illness. U.S. physical therapists earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) after college and must pass a national exam and get a state license.
Where Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapists | $102,760 | +12% Much faster than average |
13,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
Key numbers to know
What physical therapists earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Median pay by industry
| Industry | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 36% | $97,160 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 26% | $106,800 |
| Home healthcare services | 11% | $114,740 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 6% | $110,460 |
Source: BLS, physical therapists (pay and work environment tabs).
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job. Most work full time, though part-time work is common; mostly business hours, sometimes evenings or weekends. They spend much of the day on their feet and often lift and move patients.
Common tasks
- Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning.
- Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Have constant contact with others | |
| Work very close to others (near touching) | |
| Have face-to-face discussions every day | |
| Stand more than half the time |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Social, Investigative, Realistic. Source: O*NET OnLine, 29-1123.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Science and people
Biology, physics and time with patients or athletes.
- Step 2
Bachelor's + prerequisites
Most DPT programs require observation hours.
- Step 3
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Typically 3 years at a CAPTE-accredited program.
- Step 4
NPTE
National exam by FSBPT; all jurisdictions use the same passing standard.
- Goal
State license
Optional residency (about 1 year) to specialize.
High school preparation
- Biology, anatomy or health science
- Physics and chemistry
- Sports, coaching or anything that builds people skills
- Volunteering or observing in a PT clinic
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
A bachelor's degree with anatomy, chemistry and physics prerequisites, then a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), typically 3 years, and a state license.
Education workers say their job requires (O*NET)
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | |
| Master's degree | |
| Bachelor's degree |
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for physical therapists: communication skills, compassion, detail oriented, dexterity, physical stamina, resourcefulness, time-management skills.
Physical therapist license
Granted by state physical therapy licensing boards. All 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands require a license; each sets its own eligibility rules.
Why demand is changing
BLS cites an older population needing rehabilitation after heart attacks, strokes and injuries, more chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, and a greater emphasis on non-opioid pain management.
Much faster than average
Physical therapists
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Start collecting observation hours in different settings (outpatient, hospital, home health) — it helps you choose and apply.
- Expect physical work: PTs spend much of the day on their feet and often lift and move patients.
- Setting matters for pay: home healthcare paid a higher median than outpatient therapy offices in May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical therapists checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 29-1123.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Outlook Handbook · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics checked 2026-10-07
- State Licensure & NPTE Information · Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy checked 2026-10-07