GITNUXREPORT 2025

Physical Therapist Statistics

Physical therapy employment is rapidly growing with high wages and job satisfaction.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The median annual wage for physical therapists was $91,010 in May 2021

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Physical therapists who work in outpatient clinics typically earn more than those working in nursing homes or schools

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The average hourly wage for physical therapists was approximately $43.75 in 2021

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Physical therapist assistants earn a median annual wage of $62,000, according to 2021 data

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The average student loan debt for physical therapy students is approximately $125,000 upon graduation

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The employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations

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About 78% of physical therapists work full time

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The Physical Therapist profession is expected to add approximately 27,300 new jobs from 2021 to 2031

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The job satisfaction rate among physical therapists is approximately 88%

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Physical therapy is considered one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers, based on employment growth projections

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The demand for physical therapists is driven by an aging population and increased awareness of the benefits of physical therapy

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In the U.S., the physical therapy profession is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, with a 17% increase

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The majority of physical therapists report working more than 40 hours per week during peak times

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Physical therapists play a key role in post-operative rehabilitation, with nearly 80% involved in post-surgical patient care

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The employment outlook for physical therapists is particularly strong in rural and underserved areas

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The use of advanced technologies such as virtual reality and robotics is growing in physical therapy treatments

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Physical therapists are increasingly collaborating with wearable device manufacturers to enhance rehabilitation programs

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The top-paying industries for physical therapists include outpatient care centers and hospitals

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Physical therapists often work in interdisciplinary teams with physicians, nurses, and occupational therapists

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The state with the highest employment level of physical therapists in 2021 was California

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Approximately 60% of physical therapists work in outpatient clinics

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The pass rate for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is around 90%, indicating high competency among graduates

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Physical therapy programs typically take 3 years to complete after undergraduate studies

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The most common employment setting for new graduates is outpatient clinics, with about 60% starting in this setting

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Physical therapists are increasingly utilizing telehealth services, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic

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The majority of physical therapists report high levels of job satisfaction, with over 85% indicating positive work experiences

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The growth of outpatient rehabilitation centers is a significant contributor to the employment growth in physical therapy

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The employment of physical therapists is highly concentrated in urban and suburban areas, with rural areas seeing less access

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The demand for physical therapists is particularly high in post-acute and long-term care facilities

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The majority of physical therapy education programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

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The global physical therapy market was valued at approximately USD 22 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow

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About 20% of physical therapists are employed in hospital inpatient settings, providing acute care

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The average duration of a physical therapy session ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment plan

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The percentage of physical therapists working in pediatric settings is around 8%, reflecting specialization options

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The profession is projected to see a significant increase in job opportunities following the COVID-19 pandemic, due to postponed treatments and deferred rehabilitations

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In 2021, nearly 60% of physical therapists worked in outpatient settings, indicating a trend towards outpatient care

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The most common specialization among physical therapists is orthopedics, at about 25%

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The profession has a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, with over 90% of physical therapists regularly consulting research literature

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Many physical therapists pursue additional certifications such as sports, neurology, or cardiopulmonary, to diversify their practice

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The use of dry needling and other manual therapy techniques has increased among physical therapists, emphasizing manual skills

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Many physical therapists participate in research studies to improve treatment protocols, with about 40% involved in some form of research activity

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Approximately 200,900 physical therapists were employed in the United States in 2021

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The largest age group of physical therapists is between 25 and 34 years old

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The majority (about 70%) of physical therapists hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree

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Males comprise about 10% of the physical therapist workforce

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Women make up approximately 90% of the physical therapy profession

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The average age of practicing physical therapists is 44 years old

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The most common age range for new physical therapy graduates is 25-30 years old

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About 15% of physical therapists are specialized in geriatrics

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The percentage of self-employed physical therapists is approximately 14%

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About 25% of physical therapists work part-time, balancing their careers with personal commitments

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Women dominate the physical therapy profession, representing around 90% of practitioners nationwide

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The median age of physical therapists has been gradually increasing over the past decade, indicative of career longevity

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Key Highlights

The employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations
The median annual wage for physical therapists was $91,010 in May 2021
Approximately 200,900 physical therapists were employed in the United States in 2021
About 78% of physical therapists work full time
The top-paying industries for physical therapists include outpatient care centers and hospitals
The largest age group of physical therapists is between 25 and 34 years old
The majority (about 70%) of physical therapists hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree
The Physical Therapist profession is expected to add approximately 27,300 new jobs from 2021 to 2031
The job satisfaction rate among physical therapists is approximately 88%
Physical therapists who work in outpatient clinics typically earn more than those working in nursing homes or schools
Males comprise about 10% of the physical therapist workforce
Women make up approximately 90% of the physical therapy profession
The average age of practicing physical therapists is 44 years old

With a 17% projected growth from 2021 to 2031—much faster than average—the physical therapy profession is rapidly evolving into one of healthcare’s most in-demand and rewarding careers, boasting high job satisfaction, diverse specialties, and lucrative opportunities across various settings.

Earnings and Compensation

The median annual wage for physical therapists was $91,010 in May 2021
Physical therapists who work in outpatient clinics typically earn more than those working in nursing homes or schools
The average hourly wage for physical therapists was approximately $43.75 in 2021
Physical therapist assistants earn a median annual wage of $62,000, according to 2021 data
The average student loan debt for physical therapy students is approximately $125,000 upon graduation

Earnings and Compensation Interpretation

While physical therapists enjoy a median salary of over $91,000 and an hourly wage of about $43.75, their hefty student loans of roughly $125,000 highlight that even healing hands come with a hefty price tag, especially for those working in outpatient clinics rather than nursing homes or schools.

Employment Trends and Workforce Demographics

The employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations
About 78% of physical therapists work full time
The Physical Therapist profession is expected to add approximately 27,300 new jobs from 2021 to 2031
The job satisfaction rate among physical therapists is approximately 88%
Physical therapy is considered one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers, based on employment growth projections
The demand for physical therapists is driven by an aging population and increased awareness of the benefits of physical therapy
In the U.S., the physical therapy profession is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, with a 17% increase
The majority of physical therapists report working more than 40 hours per week during peak times
Physical therapists play a key role in post-operative rehabilitation, with nearly 80% involved in post-surgical patient care

Employment Trends and Workforce Demographics Interpretation

With a booming 17% growth rate forecasted for the next decade and 88% job satisfaction, the physical therapy profession is not only becoming a vital pillar in healthcare—especially for our aging population—but also a promising career path where hard work pays off and the demand continues to stretch beyond expectations.

Future Outlook and Technological Advancements

The employment outlook for physical therapists is particularly strong in rural and underserved areas
The use of advanced technologies such as virtual reality and robotics is growing in physical therapy treatments
Physical therapists are increasingly collaborating with wearable device manufacturers to enhance rehabilitation programs

Future Outlook and Technological Advancements Interpretation

Amid rising demand in neglected regions, physical therapists are leaping into the future by harnessing cutting-edge tech and wearables, redefining rehabilitation one innovative step at a time.

Industry and Employment Settings

The top-paying industries for physical therapists include outpatient care centers and hospitals
Physical therapists often work in interdisciplinary teams with physicians, nurses, and occupational therapists
The state with the highest employment level of physical therapists in 2021 was California
Approximately 60% of physical therapists work in outpatient clinics
The pass rate for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is around 90%, indicating high competency among graduates
Physical therapy programs typically take 3 years to complete after undergraduate studies
The most common employment setting for new graduates is outpatient clinics, with about 60% starting in this setting
Physical therapists are increasingly utilizing telehealth services, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic
The majority of physical therapists report high levels of job satisfaction, with over 85% indicating positive work experiences
The growth of outpatient rehabilitation centers is a significant contributor to the employment growth in physical therapy
The employment of physical therapists is highly concentrated in urban and suburban areas, with rural areas seeing less access
The demand for physical therapists is particularly high in post-acute and long-term care facilities
The majority of physical therapy education programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
The global physical therapy market was valued at approximately USD 22 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow
About 20% of physical therapists are employed in hospital inpatient settings, providing acute care
The average duration of a physical therapy session ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment plan
The percentage of physical therapists working in pediatric settings is around 8%, reflecting specialization options
The profession is projected to see a significant increase in job opportunities following the COVID-19 pandemic, due to postponed treatments and deferred rehabilitations
In 2021, nearly 60% of physical therapists worked in outpatient settings, indicating a trend towards outpatient care

Industry and Employment Settings Interpretation

With a steady 90% pass rate and an increasing shift toward outpatient clinics and telehealth, physical therapists are not only reaping top-dollar from outpatient centers and hospitals but also flexing their interdisciplinary muscles in a rapidly expanding global market—highlighting a profession confidently moving from rehabilitation to innovation, even if rural access still lags behind the urban surge.

Professional Development and Specializations

The most common specialization among physical therapists is orthopedics, at about 25%
The profession has a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, with over 90% of physical therapists regularly consulting research literature
Many physical therapists pursue additional certifications such as sports, neurology, or cardiopulmonary, to diversify their practice
The use of dry needling and other manual therapy techniques has increased among physical therapists, emphasizing manual skills
Many physical therapists participate in research studies to improve treatment protocols, with about 40% involved in some form of research activity

Professional Development and Specializations Interpretation

With orthopedics reigning at 25%, a steadfast reliance on evidence—and a penchant for extra certifications and manual mastery—physical therapists are diligently bridging science and hands-on care, often turning research into real-world relief.

Workforce Demographics

Approximately 200,900 physical therapists were employed in the United States in 2021
The largest age group of physical therapists is between 25 and 34 years old
The majority (about 70%) of physical therapists hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree
Males comprise about 10% of the physical therapist workforce
Women make up approximately 90% of the physical therapy profession
The average age of practicing physical therapists is 44 years old
The most common age range for new physical therapy graduates is 25-30 years old
About 15% of physical therapists are specialized in geriatrics
The percentage of self-employed physical therapists is approximately 14%
About 25% of physical therapists work part-time, balancing their careers with personal commitments
Women dominate the physical therapy profession, representing around 90% of practitioners nationwide
The median age of physical therapists has been gradually increasing over the past decade, indicative of career longevity

Workforce Demographics Interpretation

With women making up approximately 90% of the workforce and the median age rising steadily, the physical therapy profession is clearly aging like fine medicine—providing tender care across generations while gradually nurturing a seasoned, predominantly female cadre of healing hands.