Elevate Your Practice: Find Outpatient Physical Therapy Jobs Near Me
Physical Therapy Job Market
Looking for outpatient physical therapy jobs nearby? Let’s break down what you need to know about salaries and job growth to help you make smart career choices.
Salary Insights
Physical therapy salaries can swing based on a bunch of factors like your role, experience, education, location, and where you work. Here’s the scoop:
- Median annual salary for a physical therapist: $97,720 (APTA).
- Average salary: around $85,000, but it can vary (University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences).
- Median annual wage in May 2023: $99,710.
| Position | Median Salary | Average Salary | Median Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $97,720 | $85,000 | $99,710 |
If you’re eyeing specific roles like physical therapy assistant jobs near me or pediatric physical therapy jobs near me, expect some differences in pay. Also, checking out physical therapy jobs with benefits or physical therapy jobs with sign-on bonus can sweeten the deal.
Job Growth Outlook
The future looks bright for physical therapists. Here’s why:
- Job outlook is set to grow by 22% by 2028, with about 15,400 new jobs popping up each year.
- An aging population, more cases of diabetes and obesity, and the need for physical therapy for age-related issues are driving this demand.
- There are currently 238,800 physical therapy jobs in the U.S., with growth expected to outpace many other fields.
| Year | Projected Job Growth | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| 2028 | 22% | 15,400 |
Knowing these job market trends will help you make better decisions when hunting for physical therapy jobs near me. Whether you’re after full-time physical therapy jobs near me or part-time physical therapy jobs near me, being clued in on salary and job growth is key to planning your career.
Physical Therapy Career Paths
Educational Requirements
So, you wanna be a physical therapist? Buckle up, ’cause here’s the scoop. In the U.S., you need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program that’s got the thumbs-up from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. We’re talking about seven years of school: four years for your undergrad and three more for the DPT program. Compared to other medical gigs, this route is quicker and might leave you with less student debt (CORA Physical Therapy).
Once you’ve got that DPT, you’ll need to pass a state licensure exam to start working. This test makes sure you know your stuff and can take good care of patients.
Specializations and Certifications
Wanna stand out? Specialize! After your DPT, you can dive into a residency or fellowship to get even better at what you do. You can also become a board-certified clinical specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
Here are some cool specializations:
- Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Neurological Physical Therapy
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy
- Women’s Health Physical Therapy
- Sports Physical Therapy
| Specialization | Certification Body | Extra Training Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic Physical Therapy | ABPTS | Residency/Fellowship |
| Pediatric Physical Therapy | ABPTS | Residency/Fellowship |
| Geriatric Physical Therapy | ABPTS | Residency/Fellowship |
| Neurological Physical Therapy | ABPTS | Residency/Fellowship |
| Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy | ABPTS | Residency/Fellowship |
| Women’s Health Physical Therapy | ABPTS | Residency/Fellowship |
| Sports Physical Therapy | ABPTS | Residency/Fellowship |
Tired of the same old in-patient rehab centers? Mix it up! You can work in outpatient facilities, private practices, or even cash-based practices (Allied Travel Careers). Check out our pages on outpatient physical therapy jobs near me and full-time physical therapy jobs near me for more options.
By hitting these educational milestones and grabbing some extra certifications, you can level up your career and snag some sweet physical therapy jobs with benefits that fit your goals.
