Physical Therapist (PT)

Physical therapists help injured or ill people move better and manage pain.
U.S. median pay
$49.40/hr
$102,760/yr
Projected growth
+11.9%
2025–35
Openings per year
13,400
average, 2025–35
Typical education
Doctoral or professional degree

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.

How people get started

A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from an accredited program. DPT programs typically last 3 years. BLS: How to become one

Licensing in one line

Every state requires a license, which includes passing a qualifying exam. Some states also require a law exam and a background check.

Therapy and rehabilitation careers

  1. Respiratory TherapistAssociate's degree or higher
  2. Occupational TherapistMaster's degree, 2–3 years
  3. Speech-Language PathologistMaster's degree, about 2 years
  4. Physical TherapistDPT, typically 3 years

Pay

What physical therapists earn

Pay in every state

U.S. median hourly pay · BLS May 2025

$49.40

an hour · $102,760 a year

10th
$37.09
25th
$41.42
Median
$49.40
75th
$58.25
90th
$64.97

Hourly pay range: 10th percentile $37.09/hr, median $49.40/hr, 90th percentile $64.97/hr.

Schools

Programs that lead here

All schools content
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programsTypically 3 years. Doctor of Physical Therapy.Accreditation: CAPTE

Licensing

Licensing and verification

Find your state's board

Every state requires a license, which includes passing a qualifying exam. Some states also require a law exam and a background check.

“All states require physical therapists to be licensed, which includes passing a qualifying exam.” BLS

Work in more than one state: Physical Therapy Compact Commission

Covers physical therapists and pt assistants. Check the official member map · How compacts work

California

Full California guide: boards, lookups and key requirements. California PT licensing

Clinical rotations

For students

Your first clinical rotationThe checklist, from documents to day one.Licensing examsWhich exam you'll take after graduating.From student to first shiftBoard application to first paid shift.

Work as a PT with SHIFTit

Choose shifts that fit your life. Your credentials are verified once and travel with you to every facility on the platform.

Join SHIFTerz

Related careers and comparisons

PT vs. OTOccupational TherapistSpeech-Language PathologistRespiratory Therapist

Sources

Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.