Are you contemplating physical therapy jobs? The physical therapy industry is expected to be one of the fastest growing in the entire nation, with numerous new PT job options opening up. However, you’ll need to know a bit more about the industry before you decide if this is the right move for you.
More than half of all physical therapists work within a hospital setting or within a medical clinic with other medical practitioners. However, many other PTs have their own offices or work in another type of setting entirely.
Where Might You Find Physical Therapy Jobs?
Understanding the work environment for physical therapists is an important aspect of making an informed decision regarding your employment needs. Most physical therapists work within a hospital setting. However, you might also work in an outpatient medical clinic, within a private practice or in another area entirely.
One important note about physical therapy jobs is that you might have to adapt to a flexible schedule. While the majority of therapists work a 40-hour workweek, quite a bit of that is during nights and weekends, as required by your patients. Some PTs work part time, as well, though fulltime work is more common in the industry.
What Education Is Required for PT Jobs?
In order to land any of the available physical therapy jobs, you’ll need to have the right kind of physical therapist education. In the past, a bachelor’s degree was more than sufficient. However, things have changed in the industry. Today, physical therapists are required to have at least a master’s degree to enter the industry. Some positions might allow you to have a bachelor’s degree, but these will be entry-level, part time jobs. Many other positions require that you have a doctorate.
The Future for the Industry
While the education requirements for physical therapy jobs are a bit more strenuous than for some others in related industries, the future is bright for PTs. By 2018, there are expected to be more than 240,000 positions in the industry, and pay is expected to rise commensurately. Currently, physical therapy salaries for PTs working in hospitals average about $77,000, though those in the home health industry earn the most, at about $86,500.
Additional Resources
You can learn more about physical therapy jobs at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Information, with a search tool, is available for physical therapy schools.
Premed Guide