2023 Guide: How Much Do Physical Therapists Make? (2024)

Physical therapy (PT) is a crucial field of healthcare that focuses on improving the mobility, function and quality of life for individuals recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions. With the demand for rehabilitative services on the rise, physical therapy has become an increasingly sought-after career path.

Earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree prepares you for a career in a growing and profitable industry. However, you may be wondering how much physical therapists make and what you can do with a physical therapy degree.

In this guide, learn about the top-paying PT specialties, as well as pay ranges for different specializations, how to get a higher PT salary and other tips to further your career in the field.

Top-Paying Physical Therapy Specialties

The median annual salary for U.S.-based PTs is $97,960 as of 2022. The top 10% of PTs earned more than $128,830 annually¹.

Keep in mind that average PT salaries do not take into account location, years of experience, facility type or credentials, or specialization. While there’s no simple answer to the highest-paying specialty, there are skill set and employer preference indicators. The top-paying PT industries as of May 2022 include¹:

1. Outpatient Care Centers
   • Annual mean salary: $118,800
2. Home Healthcare Services
   • Annual mean salary: $113,970
3. Educational Support Services
   • Annual mean salary: $110,390
4. Individual and Family Services
   • Annual mean salary: $108,100
5. Nursing Care Facilities
   • Annual mean salary: $103,590

Physical Therapist Salaries by State

Board-Certified Specialization Salaries

Curious how salaries differ between PT specializations? There are ten clinical specialties² offered by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Specialist Certification program for physical therapists.

Salaries will vary depending on location, skills and job type. Here are the average salaries for these specializations in the U.S.:

1. Wound Management
   • Average annual salary: $72,000³
2. Geriatrics
   • Average annual salary: $76,000⁴
3. Orthopedics
   • Average annual salary: $81,000⁵
4. Sports
   • Average annual salary: $75,000⁶
5. Clinical Electrophysiology
   • Average annual salary: $75,000⁷
6. Neurology
   • Average annual salary: $74,000⁸
7. Oncology
   • Average annual mean salary: $77,000⁹
8. Pediatrics
   • Average annual salary: $70,000¹⁰
9. Women’s Health
   • Average annual salary: $146,121¹¹

How To Get a Higher PT Salary

Increasing your PT salary and advancing your PT opportunities may require a combination of several factors, including:

• Experience
• Education
• Specialization
• Market demand

Continually investing in your professional growth, refining your skills and seeking opportunities to advance your career will contribute to your long-term earning potential as a physical therapist. Below are some helpful tips for getting a higher PT salary.

Leverage Your Specialty With Other Industries

If you’re aiming for a higher PT salary, you can get ahead by combining management with PT practice. You can consider the following roles and average annual salaries:

• Rehabilitation Director: $92,373¹²
• Physical Therapy Director: $91,894¹³
• Director of Managed Care: $123,219¹⁴
• Senior Director of Clinical Services: $134,498¹⁶

Interested in a career in research and health sciences? The average annual salary for a medical science liaison is $95,310¹⁶.

Find the Right Home for Your Specialty

Another way to maximize your earnings is geographic targeting, or learning where physical therapists can work. PT salaries vary by city and state and do not always align with the cost of living.

Look at nationwide salary averages reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and follow up with cost-of-living comparisons to identify prime opportunities, then investigate specialties to evaluate specific salaries in those locations.

Negotiate Your PT Salary

Lastly, when accepting a new PT job or negotiating a salary increase, be prepared to advocate for yourself. To ensure you’re prepared to do so, be sure to research salary ranges for PTs in your area and use that information to support your case.

Highlight your qualifications, experience and any additional value you bring to the role. It’s essential to be confident and assertive during the negotiation process.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ

Still curious about the physical therapist profession? Below are answers to some frequently asked questions when it comes to physical therapists.

What Do the Highest 10% of PTs Earn?

According to the BLS, the top 10% of PTs earn more than $128,830 annually¹. Keep in mind that PT salary averages do not take into account location, years of experience, facility type or credentials, or specialization.

What Type of PT Makes the Most?

Physical therapists who work in outpatient care centers make the most out of all of the PT specialties¹. As of May 2022, the annual mean salary for U.S.-based physical therapists working in outpatient care centers was $118,800¹.

What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Physical Therapist?

There are many benefits and reasons to become a physical therapist, including:

• The ability to help others: PTs have many qualities that make them great at helping people. Whether it’s recovering from injuries, regaining mobility, managing chronic conditions or improving their overall physical well-being, you contribute to their current and future quality of life.
• Varied work environments: PTs are able to choose their work settings, which can include home health agencies, nursing homes, private clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and sports facilities. This diversity allows for a range of experiences and the ability to choose something that aligns with your interests and career goals.
• Growth opportunities: PT offers numerous opportunities for professional advancement. You can pursue specialized certifications, take on leadership roles, engage in research or academia, or start your own practice.
• Collaboration and teamwork: PTs typically operate as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, speech therapists and other healthcare professionals. This teamwork provides opportunities for learning, exchanging ideas and delivering comprehensive care to patients.
• Competitive salary: PTs typically enjoy a competitive salary as demand continues to increase—the BLS projects a 17% employment growth for physical therapists between 2021 and 2031¹⁷.

While salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, specialization, location and setting, the profession generally offers a respectable income level.

Become a Physical Therapist Today With USAHS

Choose a hands-on DPT program at the largest physical therapy school in the United States to earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.* At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, you’ll learn under expert faculty practitioners within a collaborative peer network.

With hands-on health science training and patient care simulation centers, you’ll learn the intricacies of anatomy with high-tech tools. You’ll also be ready to take on advanced roles in research, practice leadership and policymaking.

Visit us today to learn more about the DPT program, attend a free webinar or start your application—we’re here to answer your physical therapy-related questions, whether you’re wondering how much PT school is or where physical therapists can work.

*Based on total DPT degrees conferred, as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data is captured by IPEDS through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education 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.

Sources:

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Physical Therapists,” Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, last modified April 25, 2023, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291123.htm
2. American Physical Therapy Association, “Specialist Certification,” last modified 2023, https://www.apta.org/your-career/career-advancement/specialist-certification
3. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Wound Care Skills Hourly Pay,” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Hourly_Rate/401ff148/Wound-Care
4. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Geriatrics Skills Hourly Pay” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Hourly_Rate/7faeabf6/Geriatrics
5. Payscale, “Salary for Certification: Physical Therapist – Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (PT-OCS)”, last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Physical_Therapist_-_Orthopaedic_Certified_Specialist_(PT-OCS)/Salary
6. Payscale, “Average Sports Physical Therapist Salary,” Sports Physical Therapist, last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Sports_Physical_Therapist/Salary
7. Payscale, “Salary for Certification: Physical Therapist – Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist (PT-ECS),” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Physical_Therapist_-_Clinical_Electrophysiologic_Certified_Specialist_(PT-ECS)/Salary
8. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Neurology Clinic Skills Salary, last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Salary/eebbcf96/Neurology-Clinic
9. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Oncology Skills Salary,” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Hourly_Rate/68a83d62/Oncology
10. Payscale, “Average Pediatric Physical Therapist with Physical Therapy Skills Salary,” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pediatric_Physical_Therapist/Salary/8990a3b6/Physical-Therapy
11. Payscale, “Salary for Certification: Physical Therapist – Women’s Health Specialists,” last modified, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Physical_Therapist_-_Women%27s_Health_Specialist/Salary
12. Payscale, “Average rehabilitation Director Salary,” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Rehabilitation_Director/Salary
13. Payscale, “Average Director, Physical Therapy Salary,” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director%2C_Physical_Therapy/Salary
14. Payscale, “Average Director of Managed Care Salary,” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Managed_Care/Salary
15. Payscale, “Average Senior Director, Clinical Services Salary,” last modified 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Senior_Director%2C_Clinical_Services/Salary
16. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic, “Medical Scientists,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, last modified 2023, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm
17. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Physical Therapists,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, last modified September 2022, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm