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Physical Therapist
HealthcareYou'll help people recover from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions through exercises they'll complain about the entire time. It's part cheerleader, part drill sergeant, and fully rewarding when someone walks again after being told they couldn't.
Salary Range
Low
$65k
Median
$95k
High
$125k
10-Year Growth
15%
US Workers
249K
Education
Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT)
Environment
indoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Therapeutic exercise equipment
- ▸Ultrasound therapy devices
- ▸Electrical stimulation (e-stim)
- ▸Gait & balance training tools
- ▸Manual therapy techniques
- ▸EMR documentation systems
- ▸Functional capacity evaluations
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Problem solving
- ▸Patience & motivation
- ▸Empathy
- ▸Communication
- ▸Adaptability
- ▸Active listening
What you'll actually do
- 01Evaluate patients and develop treatment plans
- 02Guide patients through therapeutic exercises
- 03Use manual therapy techniques to improve mobility
- 04Document progress and adjust treatment plans
- 05Motivate patients who want to give up
- 06Fight insurance companies who think 3 visits should fix a torn ACL
- 07Explain for the 100th time that recovery takes time
Career Path
Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.
Physical Therapy Aide
Entry·0–1 yr·On-the-job training
$28k–$35k
Physical Therapy Assistant
Entry·1–3 yrs·PTA associate's degree
$45k–$65k
Physical Therapist
YOU ARE HEREMid-Career·3–7 yrs·DPT doctorate
$65k–$95k
Clinical Specialist / Rehab Director
Leadership·7+ yrs·Board certification + management
$95k–$140k
Related Shifts
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