What Physical Therapists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Physical Therapists this way: "Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients"; "Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention"; "Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit"; "Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling"; "Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is doctoral or professional degree.
Job outlook for Physical Therapists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 283,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 317,600 in 2035, an increase of 33,900 jobs (+11.9%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 13,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 4.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,760, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Physical Therapists earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $104,029 in New York to $120,149 in California, a gap of $16,120 (1.15 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $102,760 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 28,990, which is 35.1% of the 82,480 counted across them. New York follows with 27,740.
Highest-paying states
California ($120,149), New Jersey ($107,100) and New York ($104,029) lead the ranking, while New York ($104,029) and New Jersey ($107,100) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Physical Therapists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $48,290. The smallest margin is $37,987 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 29.9% and 41.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include General Internal Medicine Physicians, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
Frequently asked questions about Physical Therapists
How much do Physical Therapists earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,760. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $104,029 to $120,149.
Which state pays Physical Therapists the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $120,149. New Jersey is next at $107,100.
Is Physical Therapists a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 11.9% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,400 openings a year.
What education do Physical Therapists need?
The typical entry-level education is doctoral or professional degree, according to BLS.
Where can Physical Therapists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $48,290 on a median wage of $107,650.