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Physical therapist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$102,760median pay per year, or $49.40 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $77,140lowest 10% earn less
  2. $86,16025th percentile
  3. $102,760median
  4. $121,16075th percentile
  5. $135,140top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A physical therapist earns a median of $102,760 a year, about twice the median for all US jobs[1][2]. Getting there typically takes a bachelor's degree, a Doctor of Physical Therapy program and a state license, and jobs are projected to grow 11.9% over the decade to 2035[3][4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+11.9%[5]
Openings per year
13,400[7]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[8]

How much do physical therapists make?

In May 2025, the median wage for physical therapists was $102,760 a year, or $49.40 an hour[1]. The median is the middle point, splitting the higher-paid half of workers from the lower-paid half[9]. The average (mean) was a bit higher, at $105,280 a year and $50.62 an hour[10].

For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[2]. So a typical physical therapist earns about twice the typical US worker[1][2].

Here is how pay spreads from the lower to the upper end[6]:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th $77,140 $37.09
25th $86,160 $41.42
50th (median) $102,760 $49.40
75th $121,160 $58.25
90th $135,140 $64.97

Sources for the table:[1][6][11].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $77,140, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $135,140[6]. These are boundaries, not a starting salary. BLS does not publish starting pay[9].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not count bonuses outside regular pay or the value of benefits such as health insurance[12].

Pay by state and city

California has the highest state median for physical therapists, at $124,190[13]. Next come Alaska ($115,280), New Jersey ($112,140) and Nevada ($111,250)[13]. At the other end, North Dakota has the lowest median at $85,330, after Montana ($91,450) and South Dakota ($92,660)[13].

Cities in California dominate the metro list. Among metro areas with at least 100 of these jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont leads with a median of $141,980, followed by Vallejo ($141,530), Santa Rosa-Petaluma ($140,100) and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ($139,000)[14]. All eight metros on that top-pay list are in California[14].

The states with the most jobs are California (26,580), Texas (21,870), New York (20,940), Florida (16,290) and Pennsylvania (11,710)[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area has the most jobs of any metro, at 21,240, with a median of $107,650[16]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim is second with 9,750 jobs[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[13]$124,19026,580
Alaska$115,280680
New Jersey$112,1409,750
Nevada$111,2502,030
Maryland$106,8903,940
New Mexico$106,8801,330
Washington$105,9505,370
Texas$105,81021,870
Illinois$105,2509,800
Connecticut$104,3604,060
Massachusetts$103,7906,850
Oregon$103,5103,210
Arizona$103,2205,170
Ohio$103,05010,280
Georgia$102,7006,780
Delaware$102,0501,260
Colorado$102,0305,630
Minnesota$102,0105,180
Wisconsin$101,8405,580
Hawaii$101,700950
District of Columbia$101,640610
Indiana$101,5606,130
Virginia$101,4507,630
Pennsylvania$101,38011,710
South Carolina$101,3303,930
Florida$101,04016,290
Michigan$100,9008,630
Kentucky$100,7103,390
New York$100,66020,940
Wyoming$100,400560
Tennessee$100,1404,800
Mississippi$99,9901,980
North Carolina$99,9107,350
Utah$99,8802,300
New Hampshire$99,8501,960
Maine$99,7201,860
Rhode Island$99,4001,020
Missouri$99,3104,900
Arkansas$99,0102,680
Idaho$99,0001,030
Oklahoma$98,5902,560
Louisiana$98,5303,280
Kansas$98,2902,660
Vermont$97,970760
Iowa$97,5602,530
Alabama$97,2903,040
Nebraska$97,0902,140
West Virginia$96,6001,310
South Dakota$92,6601,060
Montana$91,4501,180
North Dakota$85,330830

How to become a physical therapist

BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the usual education for entry, with no prior work experience or on-the-job training needed[8]. In practice that degree is the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), earned from an accredited program[17][18].

1) Finish a bachelor's degree. DPT programs typically ask for one[3]. The major can be in areas such as recreation and fitness or healthcare, and you will need prerequisite classes like anatomy, chemistry and physics[3]. 2) Complete a DPT program. These programs typically last 3 years[3]. Coursework often covers biomechanics, neuroscience and pharmacology, and students also do supervised clinical work in settings such as acute care and orthopedic care[19]. 3) Get licensed in your state. Every state requires a license, and that includes passing a qualifying exam[4]. Some states add a law exam or a criminal background check, so check with your state board[4]. 4) Keep your license current. Continuing education is typically required[4].

Some physical therapists keep training after school. A clinical residency, which typically lasts about 1 year, adds experience in a specialty area, and a fellowship can follow it[20]. With work experience, a therapist can also become a board-certified specialist in areas such as orthopedics, sports or geriatrics by passing an exam and doing clinical work in that area[21].

In an O*NET survey of 28 workers, 47% said a doctoral degree is required and 38% said a master's degree[22]. This is a small survey of current workers. For new entrants, BLS says a DPT is needed[17].

The job also asks for people skills and physical ones. BLS points to clear communication, compassion for people in pain, attention to detail, good use of the hands for manual therapy, and the stamina to be on your feet much of the day[23][24][25][26][27].

What physical therapists do

Physical therapists help people recover from illness or injury. They build and run rehab programs that aim to improve movement, ease pain and build strength[28]. Typical tasks include[29]:

Workers in this field report job titles such as acute care, home care, outpatient and pediatric physical therapist[30].

Where they work

The biggest employer group is therapy offices, a category that also covers occupational and speech therapists and audiologists. It employs 36% of physical therapists[31]. A small share, 4.2%, were self-employed in 2025[32].

The work is physical. Therapists spend a lot of time standing and moving with patients, and because they often lift and move people, back injuries are a risk[33]. Good lifting technique helps lower that risk[33].

Full-time work is the norm, but part-time jobs are common too[34]. Hours are usually during the regular workday, though some therapists work evenings or weekends[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of physical therapists to grow 11.9% between 2025 and 2035[5]. That would take the field from about 283,700 jobs to 317,600[5]. That is much faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[35].

About 13,400 openings are expected each year on average[7]. That count includes jobs left by people who retire or switch careers, not only new positions[7]. Each year, about 2% of physical therapists are expected to leave the labor force and 1.3% to move into another occupation[36].

These projection counts include self-employed workers[5]. The pay survey counts only wage and salary jobs, about 267,330 of them[37], so the two totals differ.

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to solid pay and strong demand. The median is $102,760, about twice the all-jobs median[1][2]. Growth of 11.9% is well above the 3.5% average[5][35]. The tradeoff is a long path: typically a bachelor's degree, then a DPT that typically takes 3 years, then a licensing exam[3][4]. It suits people who are willing to spend those years in school and who like hands-on, physically active work with patients[27][33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a physical therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $49.40 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37.09 an hour and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $64.97[11].
How long does it take to become a physical therapist?
DPT programs typically require a bachelor's degree first, then a DPT program that typically lasts 3 years, then a state license[3][4]. An optional residency adds about 1 year[20].
What degree do you need to be a physical therapist?
To enter the field you need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and the program must be accredited[18]. All states also require a license[17].
Is physical therapy in demand?
Yes. Jobs are projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,400 openings a year[5][35][7].
What is the highest paying state for physical therapists?
California, with a median of $124,190 a year[13]. Its San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area has a median of $141,980[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Physical Therapists in the US was $102,760 per year and $49.40 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Physical Therapists is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 283,700 to 317,600 jobs (a change of +33,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Physical Therapists: 10th percentile $77,140, 25th percentile $86,160, 75th percentile $121,160, 90th percentile $135,140. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 13,400 openings for Physical Therapists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Physical Therapists: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Physical Therapists was $105,280 per year and $50.62 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Physical Therapists: 10th percentile $37.09, 25th percentile $41.42, 75th percentile $58.25, 90th percentile $64.97. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Physical Therapists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Physical Therapists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $141,980; Vallejo, CA $141,530; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $140,100; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $139,000; Chico, CA $134,970; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $131,430; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $128,680; Salinas, CA $127,120. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Physical Therapists jobs: California 26,580; Texas 21,870; New York 20,940; Florida 16,290; Pennsylvania 11,710. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Physical Therapists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 21,240 (median $107,650); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 9,750 (median $108,170); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 7,880 (median $105,720); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 6,250 (median $105,790); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 6,100 (median $107,780); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 5,330 (median $103,550). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 29-1123.00 survey of workers (28 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 47%, Master's Degree 38%, Bachelor's Degree 8%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Physical Therapists. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Physical Therapists. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 29-1123.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Acute Care PT (Acute Care Physical Therapist), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Home Care Physical Therapist (Home Care PT), Inpatient Physical Therapist (Inpatient PT), Outpatient Physical Therapist (Outpatient PT), Pediatric Physical Therapist (Pediatric PT), Registered Physical Therapist (RPT), Therapist. O*NET OnLine
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of physical therapists in 2025: Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists 36%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 4.2% of Physical Therapists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Physical Therapists: 2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 1.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 267,330 people were employed as Physical Therapists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.