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US Physical Therapist Market
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Key Points
- Employment is expected to increase much faster than the average, as growth in
the number of individuals
with disabilities or limited functioning spurs demand for
therapy services.
- Job opportunities should be particularly good in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and
orthopedic settings.
- After graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program,
therapists must pass a
licensure exam before they can practice.
- Nearly 6 out of 10 physical therapists work in hospitals or in offices of physical
therapists.
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Nature of Work
Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain,
and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or
disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include
accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis,
heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
Therapists examine patients’ medical histories and then test and measure the patients’ strength,
range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function.
They also determine patients’ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace
after injury or illness. Next, physical therapists develop plans describing a treatment strategy,
its purpose, and its anticipated outcome. Physical therapist assistants, under the direction and
supervision of a physical therapist, may be involved in implementing treatment plans with patients.
Physical therapist aides perform routine support tasks, as directed by the therapist.
Working Conditions
Physical therapists practice in hospitals, clinics, and private offices that have specially
equipped facilities, or they treat patients in hospital rooms, homes, or schools.
In 2004, most full-time physical therapists worked a 40-hour week; some worked evenings and
weekends to fit their patients’ schedules. About 1 in 4 physical therapists worked part time.
The job can be physically demanding because therapists often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift,
and stand for long periods. In addition, physical therapists move heavy equipment and lift
patients or help them turn, stand, or walk.
Employment
Physical therapists held about 155,000 jobs in 2004. The number of jobs is greater than the number
of practicing physical therapists, because some physical therapists hold two or more jobs.
For example, some may work in a private practice, but also work part time in another health care facility.
Nearly 6 out of 10 physical therapists worked in hospitals or in offices of physical therapists. Other jobs
were in home health care services, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, and offices of physicians.
Some physical therapists were self-employed in private practices, seeing individual patients and contracting to
provide services in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, home health care agencies, adult
day care programs, and schools. Physical therapists also teach in academic institutions and conduct research.
Earnings
Median annual earnings of physical therapists were $60,180 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,330 and $71,760. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,580. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of physical therapists in May 2004 were:
Home health care services
Nursing care facilities
Offices of physicians
General medical and surgical hospitals
Offices of other health practitioners
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$64,650
61,720
61,270
60,350
60,130 |
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Source: U.S. Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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