Discover the reasons why being a Physical Therapist or a practice owner is a growing and fulfilling career!
Physical therapy is evolving rapidly, making this an exciting and rewarding time to join the field. With an aging population, heightened awareness of wellness, and advanced technologies transforming treatment methods, the demand for skilled physical therapists continues to soar.
This demand presents many opportunities for aspiring physical therapists who are eager to make a difference in people's lives. In this article, we explore the key trends shaping physical therapy, job market projections, and the factors influencing career opportunities.
This year, the demand for physical therapists continues its upward trajectory, fueled by demographic shifts and evolving healthcare practices. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a substantial 14% growth in employment for physical therapists from 2023 to 2033. This translates to approximately 13,600 new jobs annually, surpassing many other professions in terms of job security and opportunity.
This upward trajectory indicates a promising future for both current and prospective physical therapists, suggesting that career opportunities will remain strong through 2025 and beyond. Whether you're entering the field or expanding your clinic, the future of physical therapy looks bright.
The average physical therapist's salary in 2020 was $91,010. As of 2025, that number has climbed to an average of $99,710. —and it's expected to surpass $100,000 in the near future. This milestone reflects how the profession’s value is increasingly recognized within the broader healthcare system.
These figures represent general trends, meaning some physical therapists may earn more while others may earn less. For instance, the top 10% of PTs earn more than $130,870 annually, according to the most recent data in 2025.
Location, specialization, and experience can all influence earning potential. PTs working in major metropolitan areas—where the cost of living is higher—often see elevated salaries. Similarly, those who pursue advanced certifications or specialize in high-demand areas like orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, or geriatrics may command premium pay.
Several factors contribute to the rising need for physical therapists. Since many of these are rooted in long-term shifts—such as greater emphasis on wellness and aging population trends—it’s unlikely that demand will decline anytime soon.
The Baby Boomer generation includes almost 75 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964. In 2025, the youngest members of this group will reach 61 years of age, and the oldest will be 79. This aging group of seniors will require physical therapy for several reasons.
Despite their advanced age, 64.4% of Baby Boomers report participating in fitness or sports. To help keep them active, they may require physical therapy to manage pain or mobility-related injuries.
This generation accounts for 40% of those who get total hip or knee replacements. Those who get a joint replacement will need physical therapy to improve their range of motion and recover the mobility lost.
Many older Americans live with pain, disabilities, or mobility issues that don't yet qualify for surgery. As a physical therapist, you'll be on the front lines to help this population live better, healthier lives with less pain.
While Boomers account for many with chronic pain or disabilities, many other patients don't fall into this age group. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one chronic condition afflicts six in ten Americans, and four in ten Americans have two or more chronic health concerns.
Chronic conditions can include obesity, heart conditions, cancer, and arthritis. Physical therapy allows those with these conditions to improve their quality of life while managing symptoms.
In recent years, the public, insurers, and practitioners have finally begun to embrace the benefits of physical therapy. Thanks to insurance plans providing more coverage, physical therapy has become accessible to many more people.
Plus, many studies link physical therapy access to lower opioid use, which could reduce the need to prescribe these powerful drugs and mitigate issues with the American opioid crisis. For example, a study showed an 89.4% lower likelihood of needing opioids for lower back pain among those who had physical therapy as a first-line treatment.
With more awareness of physical therapy's inherent benefits to patients, more people seek out this service for various conditions.
Developments within the physical therapy field have helped to improve care delivery. For instance, telehealth and remote therapeutic monitoring allow physical therapists to reach patients in their homes, removing the transportation barrier and physically assisting patients with their treatment.
Other advancements in physical therapy include new treatment modalities. Physical therapists improve their effectiveness in evaluating and treating patients. With the newest treatment delivery methods, patients feel more engaged in their physical therapy program, increasing their chances of continuing the course of therapy to the end.
Consequently, patients who follow their physical therapist's recommendations have better outcomes and more satisfaction. Their positive results help to spread the news of how physical therapy can improve patient quality of life and outcomes, which raises demand for the field.
The trend of specialization in physical therapy is becoming more common, which has increased the overall demand for specialized physical therapy services. This trend is driven by the recognition that specific populations and conditions require tailored treatment approaches that can significantly enhance patient outcomes.
While core specializations like pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, and neurology remain foundational, physical therapy is seeing increased demand for subspecialties such as women’s health, pelvic floor therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and chronic pain management. These evolving focus areas enable PTs to offer more personalized care and attract patients seeking highly specific treatments.
As a result, practices that embrace specialization can expect increased patient referrals, better outcomes, and higher overall satisfaction rates, further fueling the demand for specialized physical therapy services.
The ongoing evolution of healthcare policies and insurance coverage plays a pivotal role in shaping the physical therapy profession. Recent legislative changes and insurance reforms have made physical therapy more accessible, thus increasing the demand for it.
Policy initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes have led to a more favorable environment for physical therapy interventions. For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that physical therapy will be prioritized in bundled payment models for surgical patients. This underscores how important rehab services are. With this, patients can now go straight to physical therapy, bypassing a doctor’s referral, for earlier intervention and better health outcomes.
Insurance companies are also increasingly recognizing the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy in managing chronic conditions and preventing the need for more invasive procedures, such as surgeries or opioid prescriptions. This shift enhances access to physical therapy services and builds a foundation for future growth in the field.
Becoming a physical therapist requires academic coursework, hands-on clinical experience, and adherence to regulatory standards. Here’s a look at the essential educational paths, clinical experiences, and certification requirements that set the stage for a successful career in physical therapy.
The DPT is the current standard entry-level degree for physical therapists in the United States. These programs are typically three years long and involve a combination of classroom learning and clinical experience. DPT curricula cover a wide range of subjects, including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pharmacology, and patient examination and intervention techniques.
Accredited DPT programs are essential, as graduation from such a program is a prerequisite for licensure. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredits these programs.
In addition to academic learning, clinical experience is an important part of the training for future physical therapists. During their DPT program, students are required to complete supervised clinical internships that provide hands-on experience in various healthcare settings. This clinical education lets physical therapists evaluate and treat patients under the supervision of qualified practitioners by applying their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Many graduates also choose to pursue residency programs after completing their DPT degree. These postdoctoral training opportunities often last one year and allow physical therapists to gain advanced training in specialized areas such as orthopedics, geriatrics, or neurology and improve clinical skills, which enhance their job market competitiveness.
After completing their DPT degree and required clinical experiences, aspiring physical therapists must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), the NPTE assesses candidates' knowledge and competency in carrying out various physical therapy practices. The exam covers areas such as:
Passing the NPTE is crucial as it is a prerequisite for obtaining state licensure to practice as a physical therapist.
Each state in the U.S. has its own requirements for licensing physical therapists, which typically include passing the NPTE and fulfilling specific application criteria set by the state’s physical therapy board. Most states require additional documentation, including proof of education, clinical experience, and fingerprinting for background checks.
Once licensed, physical therapists must also adhere to renewal requirements, which often involve continuing education to ensure that practitioners remain current with the latest advancements in the field. Many states mandate a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. Compliance with these requirements maintains licensure and enhances the quality of care delivered to patients.
To further excel in the field, many practitioners can pursue board certification in a specialized area of practice through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Board certification recognizes physical therapists who have advanced clinical knowledge and skills in specific domains, such as:
Certification typically requires a combination of additional clinical experience, completion of an examination, and endorsements from experienced therapists in the desired specialty. According to the ABPTS, more than 30,000 physical therapists have achieved board certification. This emphasizes the value of specialization in enhancing career prospects and delivering high-quality, evidence-based care to patients.
As new physical therapy graduates enter the job market, they face various challenges that can impact their career prospects, such as:
Job opportunities for physical therapists can vary significantly by region, influenced by factors such as population density, healthcare infrastructure, and local socioeconomic conditions.
In urban areas, for example, there may be a saturation of physical therapists due to the higher number of healthcare facilities, resulting in increased competition for available positions. Conversely, rural or underserved regions often face shortages of healthcare professionals, leading to higher demand for physical therapists. As a result, new graduates may need to consider relocating to regions with higher demand or being flexible about their practice settings to secure employment.
While the path to becoming a physical therapist is clearly defined, it often comes with significant hurdles. From high tuition costs to the complexity of meeting varied state licensing requirements, many graduates face challenges even after completing their degrees.
In addition to passing the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), new PTs must navigate state-specific licensing rules that can include additional fees, background checks, and sometimes extra coursework or exams. These differences can lead to delays and frustration—especially for those relocating or seeking licensure in multiple states.
Financially, the cost of education, exam prep, licensure fees, and continuing education requirements can add up quickly, placing a considerable burden on early-career professionals. While the profession offers strong long-term prospects, the initial transition into practice can be both time-consuming and costly.
Compensation for physical therapists can vary widely based on several factors, including geographic location, practice setting, level of experience, and area of specialization. For instance, physical therapists working in urban centers or high-demand specialties, such as orthopedics or pediatrics, may command higher salaries, while those in rural areas or less specialized roles may earn lower wages.
Moreover, understanding local reimbursement rates, insurance practices, and the overall economic environment is essential for negotiating fair compensation. Graduates should be aware of current salary trends and regional differences to negotiate fair compensation and align their career choices with financial expectations and sustainability.
As demand for physical therapy services increases, existing therapists may face heavier workloads and greater pressure. Even as you look toward the future of growth in physical therapy, pay attention to your practice's existing team to help them avoid burnout and improve their job satisfaction.
Generally, most physical therapists have high job satisfaction, with even greater career and work fulfillment reported by those who had training under a fellowship or clinical residency program, according to the Journal of Physical Therapy Education. However, even with high job satisfaction, burnout can happen when work and life become out of balance or the therapists feel overwhelmed.
One way to improve job satisfaction for physical therapists is by increasing their schedule flexibility through remote work. Innovations such as telehealth and remote patient monitoring make remote work a viable way to prevent burnout for many physical therapists.
Physical therapy as a field continues to grow, with increasing demand for skilled professionals and expanding career opportunities. The future of physical therapy is bright, offering opportunities for better pay, increased job availability, and a greater impact on patient lives.
However, with this growth comes increased complexity in managing a thriving practice. This is where Empower EMR becomes an indispensable tool. Our practice management software is designed to streamline operations, automate tedious processes, and free up valuable time, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional patient care. From scheduling and billing to documentation and compliance, Empower EMR empowers you to take control of your practice with confidence.
Embrace the future of physical therapy with the tools and support you need to succeed. Book a demo with us and discover how Empower EMR can transform your practice.
