How to Become a Physical Therapist: A Helpful Guide to a Rewarding Career

December 11, 2024

Do you have a passion for assisting patients as they rehabilitate from injuries or supporting them as they manage chronic conditions? If so, the physical therapist career, backed by a health science bachelor’s degree from P.I.T., might be the right fit for you.

💡  Key Takeaway Physical therapy is a high-growth career with a 14% projected employment increase from 2023 –2033 and a median salary of $99,710. Read on to learn the four steps to launch this rewarding career.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical therapists (PT) are health professionals who help patients properly recover from injuries or maintain abilities when facing conditions that may inhibit their movement. Within this role, you’ll have the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, schools, and more.

Some of the day-to-day responsibilities of the physical therapist occupation can include:

Becoming a Physical Therapist: 4 Steps to Success

1. Earn Your Undergraduate Degree

Once you’ve decided that the career path is right for you, one of the first steps is to pursue and complete an undergraduate degree. This can be any program with a strong foundation in biology, physiology, and other related fields.

💡  Why P.I.T.? The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers a comprehensive health science bachelor’s degree that integrates rigorous coursework with hands-on experience to prepare students with the tools and competencies they need to excel. Reach out to our team today to learn more.

2. Complete Your DPT Program

After receiving their degree, students are then encouraged to pursue their DPT. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) clinical program is typically three years long and helps individuals demonstrate their complete expertise in human movement. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), this program provides students with rigorous courses encompassing concentrations such as neuroscience, biomechanics, and pharmacology, to name a few.

Along with coursework, students will also spend time working in various clinics to supplement their studies.

3. Pass the NPTE

After completing your DPT, physical therapists are then required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is offered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

⚠️  Important to Know The NPTE is offered four times a year, giving you plenty of time to prepare. Candidates can retake the exam up to three times within a 12-month period.

4. Obtain Your State License

The last step is to get your state license, which allows you to legally practice in the state you reside in. Depending on the state, you may need to:

1. Complete an initial background screening
2. Finish compliance training
3. Participate in ongoing education courses to maintain your license

FAQs About the Physical Therapist Career

What is the average salary of a physical therapist?

$99,710

Median Annual Salary for Physical Therapists

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for physical therapists in the United States is $99,710. Some of the highest-paying settings include:

• Nursing care facilities
• Home health care services
• General medical and surgical hospitals
• Offices of physicians

What skills and qualities should a physical therapist possess?

When on the physical therapist career path, there are several skills that you should possess to excel in the role, which include the following:

Interpersonal Skills	Professional Skills
✅  Strong communication skills	✅  Thorough attention to detail
✅  Compassion and empathy	✅  Problem-solving capabilities
✅  Patience	✅  Physical stamina
✅  Collaboration skills	✅  Time management

What are some notable trends and statistics about the physical therapist career path?

• The physical therapy career is the fifth-largest occupation in clinical healthcare that also requires licensure, excluding general nursing (American Physical Therapy Association)

• As of 2021, there are around 72 physical therapists for every 100,000 people in the United States (American Physical Therapy Association)

• Approximately 36% of physical therapists work in private offices, while around 29% of these individuals work in hospitals (Cross River Therapy)

• The average age of physical therapists is 41.2 years old (Cross River Therapy)

• Globally, there are over 1.6 million registered physical therapists (Cross River Therapy)

• The states with the highest concentration of physical therapists include Vermont (7.8 per 1,000 jobs), Maine (5.4), and Rhode Island (4.6) (Ambitions)

• Women make up around 55% of all physical therapy patients, and people that are over the age of 65 also represent 55% of all therapy patients (Cross River Therapy)

• In 2022, the physical therapy industry had a value of $46.4 billion (Cross River Therapy)

What sets P.I.T. apart from other schools?

There are numerous reasons that students choose P.I.T. to start their journey for a physical therapist career, with some of the main advantages of our health science bachelor’s degree including that we are proud to offer:

• A variety of support services, like job placement, transfer assistance, and tutoring accommodations

• A 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing students to network with peers and professors in a classroom setting

• Numerous opportunities for students to apply for grants, financial aid, and scholarships 

Apply to P.I.T. Today

Ready to take the next steps toward a rewarding career as a physical therapist? Apply to our distinguished program today. If you have any additional questions about how to become a physical therapist, please contact us directly — we look forward to assisting you.