How Much Do Physical Therapists Make? A Comprehensive Salary Guide

Physical therapy (PT) stands as a vital healthcare domain dedicated to enhancing movement, functionality, and overall well-being for individuals recovering from injuries or managing long-term health issues. As the need for rehabilitation services grows, physical therapy has emerged as an increasingly attractive and stable career path.1

Obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a reputable institution such as the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) sets the stage for a fulfilling career in this expanding field. A common question for prospective students is: How Much Do Physical Therapists Make? And what career opportunities open up with a graduate degree in physical therapy?

This guide delves into the earning potential of physical therapists, exploring the highest-paying specializations, salary variations across different states, strategies to boost your income, and valuable insights to propel your physical therapy career forward.

Top-Paying Physical Therapist Specialties

So, how much do physical therapists make? The median annual salary for physical therapists in the United States was $99,710 as of May 2023.2 Notably, the top 10% of earners in this profession exceeded $130,870 per year.2

It’s important to understand that the average physical therapist salary is influenced by factors such as geographic location, years of experience, the type of healthcare facility, professional credentials, and specialized expertise. While pinpointing the absolute highest-paid physical therapist specialty is complex, certain sectors and skill sets tend to correlate with higher earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industries with the highest median annual salaries for physical therapists as of May 2023 were:2

1. Home Healthcare Services: $107,870
2. Hospitals: $103,690
3. Nursing and Residential Care Facilities: $102,810
4. Offices of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists: $93,050

Physical Therapist Salary by State

Geographic location plays a significant role in determining a physical therapist’s earning potential. The following table provides a state-by-state overview of the annual mean salary ranges for physical therapists in 2023:3

Salary Expectations for Board-Certified Physical Therapist Specialties

A common question among aspiring physical therapists is: do physical therapists make good money? The answer often depends on specialization. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Specialist Certification program, overseen by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), offers certifications in ten distinct areas of physical therapy.4

Physical therapist salaries can fluctuate based on location, expertise, and job setting. The following provides average annual salary ranges reflecting how much a physical therapist makes across various board-certified specialties in the U.S.**:

(Note: Specific salary figures for each specialty were not provided in the original article. To maintain accuracy and avoid speculation, this section acknowledges the impact of specialization on salary but does not provide specific numbers. Further research would be needed to incorporate this data and enhance the article.)

Strategies to Increase Your PT Salary

To increase your physical therapy salary and advance your career opportunities, a multifaceted approach is often necessary. This can involve a combination of factors, including:

• Experience: Years of practice and a proven track record naturally lead to higher earning potential.
• Education: Pursuing advanced certifications, residencies, or fellowships demonstrates specialized knowledge and commitment, often resulting in increased compensation.
• Specialty: As discussed, certain physical therapy specialties command higher salaries due to demand and specialized skills.
• Market Demand: Geographic locations with higher demand for physical therapists or specialized services may offer more competitive salaries.

Continuous professional development, honing your skills, and actively seeking career advancement opportunities are key to maximizing your long-term earning potential as a physical therapist. If you’re aiming for a higher answer to “how much does a physical therapist make,” consider these actionable strategies:

Expand Your Expertise into Related Industries

For physical therapists seeking higher salaries, combining clinical practice with management or administrative roles can be advantageous. Consider these roles and their approximate average annual salaries**:

(Note: Specific roles and salaries were not provided in the original article. To maintain accuracy and avoid speculation, this section acknowledges the potential for higher earnings through expanded roles but does not provide specific examples or numbers. Further research would be needed to incorporate this data and enhance the article.)

For those interested in research, a career as a medical scientist could be an option. The average annual salary for medical scientists is around $100,890.18

Target Geographic Areas with High Demand and Competitive Pay

Another effective strategy to maximize your physical therapist salary is to strategically target geographic locations or explore where physical therapists work with higher compensation. Physical therapist salaries can vary significantly by city and state, and these variations don’t always directly correlate with the local cost of living.

Conduct thorough research into nationwide average salaries using resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Then, compare these figures with cost-of-living data for different areas to identify promising opportunities. Furthermore, investigate the demand and compensation for specific physical therapy specialties in those locations.

Master the Art of Salary Negotiation

Finally, when accepting a new physical therapy position or seeking a salary raise in your current role, preparation and confident self-advocacy are essential. Before entering any negotiation, research the prevailing salaries for physical therapists in your specific geographic area. Utilize this data to substantiate your salary expectations.

During the negotiation process, confidently highlight your qualifications, relevant experience, and any unique value you bring to the position or organization. Assertiveness and thorough preparation are key to successful salary negotiation.

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Physical Therapist Salary FAQs

To further address your questions about physical therapist salaries, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What is the Earning Potential for the Top 10% of PTs?

According to the BLS, the highest-earning 10% of physical therapists in the U.S. make approximately $130,870 annually.2 It’s important to remember that these figures represent averages and do not account for variations based on location, experience, facility type, credentials, or specialization.

Which Physical Therapist Specialty Earns the Most?

Physical therapists working in home healthcare services currently hold the distinction of being among the highest-paid in the profession.2 As of May 2023, the median annual salary for physical therapists in home healthcare was $107,870.

What are the Advantages of a Physical Therapy Career?

There are numerous compelling benefits and reasons to choose a career in physical therapy, including:

• Making a Difference in People’s Lives: Physical therapists possess qualities that enable them to significantly impact the lives of others. Whether assisting patients in recovering from injuries, regaining mobility, managing chronic conditions, or enhancing their overall physical well-being, PTs contribute directly to improving individuals’ quality of life.
• Diverse Work Environments: Physical therapists enjoy the flexibility to choose from various work settings, such as home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and sports facilities. This diversity allows for varied experiences and the opportunity to find a setting that aligns with individual interests and career aspirations.
• Career Growth Opportunities: The field of physical therapy offers ample avenues for professional advancement. PTs can pursue specialist certifications, assume leadership positions, engage in research or academia, or establish their own private practices.
• Collaborative and Team-Based Work: Physical therapists typically function as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, collaborating with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other healthcare professionals. This collaborative environment fosters idea exchange and comprehensive patient care.
• Competitive Compensation: Do physical therapists make good money? Yes! Physical therapists generally earn competitive salaries, and with continued strong demand for their services—the BLS projects a 15% job growth rate for physical therapists from 2022 to 20321—the profession offers a financially rewarding career path.

While the exact answer to “how much does a physical therapist make” can vary based on factors like experience, specialization, location, and work setting, physical therapy consistently provides a respectable and stable income.

Embark on Your Physical Therapy Journey with USAHS

Choose a hands-on Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), the largest physical therapy school in the nation,* to launch your career. At USAHS, you will learn from expert faculty-practitioners within a collaborative peer network.

Through hands-on health science training and immersive simulation centers, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of anatomy using advanced technology. You will also be prepared to pursue leadership roles in research, practice management, and healthcare policy.

Connect with us today to discover more about the DPT program, attend a complimentary webinar, or begin your DPT application. We are here to address your physical therapy-related inquiries, whether you’re curious about the cost of PT school or the diverse work settings available to physical therapists.

*Based on total DPT degrees conferred during 2020-2022, as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data is captured by IPEDS through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES).

**The information provided on this website is based on self-reported data and is intended for general informational purposes only. PayScale is a limited data source that relies on voluntary submissions from individuals and employers.

Please be aware that the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of the data may vary due to its voluntary nature and limited scope. While efforts are made to maintain the data’s accuracy, we cannot guarantee its absolute correctness or currency.

Salary data may not reflect starting pay for recent graduates.