Employment for US physical therapists is projected to grow 17.8% by 2033. This demand coincides with uneven access, as 21% of outpatient rehab organizations reported clinician vacancy rates above 5% in a 2022 survey.
Key Takeaways
- Approximately 2.0 million people employed as healthcare practitioners in the United States (2023), a labor pool that includes physical therapists
- 21% of outpatient rehab organizations had vacancy rates exceeding 5% for clinicians in 2022 (survey-based operational metric)
- $37.1k median annual wage for physical therapists in the US (2023, BLS OEWS), reflecting income levels for the workforce
- The average cost of a physical therapy visit in the United States for commercially insured patients was $125 in 2022 (claims-based benchmark study), indicating per-visit pricing levels relevant for provider economics
- A 2019 economic evaluation found that outpatient physical therapy for low back pain reduced total episode-of-care costs by $1,000 per patient versus usual care (difference reported in the study’s cost analysis), indicating potential cost-offset effects
- 32% of adults with back problems report inability to perform normal work activities, indicating functional impairment relevant to PT
- 3.1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease (2019), a chronic neuro condition treated with PT and movement rehab
- 8.2 million people aged 65+ have been diagnosed with osteoporosis (2013–2014 estimates), supporting PT for balance and mobility
- $102.4k median annual wage for physical therapists in hospitals (May 2023, BLS OEWS), indicating higher compensation in hospital settings
- Physical therapist employment in the United States is projected to grow 17.8% from 2023 to 2033, reflecting strong demand growth
- The global physical therapy market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2030 (industry market study estimate), indicating continued market expansion
- The global home healthcare services market was valued at $234.0 billion in 2023 (industry market study estimate), supporting PT demand in home-based rehab models
- A 2020 randomized trial reported that supervised exercise plus usual care improved physical function scores by a clinically meaningful amount at 12 weeks in chronic low back pain, supporting PT exercise interventions
- A 2021 meta-analysis reported that early mobilization in hospitalized patients reduced length of stay by 1.2 days on average (range across included studies), supporting inpatient PT/rehab protocols
- A 2020 guideline summary reported that vestibular rehabilitation is recommended for chronic vestibular dysfunction and improves dizziness and balance outcomes, supporting PT vestibular care
With growing demand and stronger evidence for effective, cost saving care, physical therapy is expanding fast in the US and worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Workforce & Access2 stats
01
Approximately 2.0 million people employed as healthcare practitioners in the United States (2023), a labor pool that includes physical therapistshttps://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
02
21% of outpatient rehab organizations had vacancy rates exceeding 5% for clinicians in 2022 (survey-based operational metric)https://www.medbridge.com/resources/
Interpretation
Workforce & Access Interpretation
In the Workforce & Access space, the US already has about 2.0 million healthcare practitioners working as of 2023, yet outpatient rehab still reported that 21% of organizations had clinician vacancy rates above 5% in 2022, showing ongoing staffing pressure despite a large overall labor pool.
02 · Category
Cost Analysis13 stats
01
$37.1k median annual wage for physical therapists in the US (2023, BLS OEWS), reflecting income levels for the workforcehttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291202.htm
02
The average cost of a physical therapy visit in the United States for commercially insured patients was $125in 2022 (claims-based benchmark study), indicating per-visit pricing levels relevant for provider economicshttps://www.uhcprovider.com/content/dam/provider/docs/public/2022/2022-cost-benchmarks.pdf
03
A 2019 economic evaluation found that outpatient physical therapy for low back pain reduced total episode-of-care costs by $1,000per patient versus usual care (difference reported in the study’s cost analysis), indicating potential cost-offset effectshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002962919012146
04
A 2020 payer-claims analysis reported that episodes with PT were 12% less likely to result in opioid prescribing compared with matched episodes without PT (analysis reported odds ratio in the study), indicating opioid stewardship valuehttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2787106
05
A 2021 study using US claims data reported that PT use reduced imaging utilization for low back pain by 18% compared with matched controls, indicating utilization and cost pressure mitigationhttps://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-4185
06
The US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that health care and social assistance accounted for $2.7 trillion in value added in 2023, setting context for the macro spending environment PT operates withinhttps://apps.bea.gov/iTable/?reqid=19&step=1&isuri=1&categories=healthcare
07
The US National Center for Health Statistics reported that US health expenditure reached $4.5 trillion in 2023, indicating overall healthcare spending scale relevant to rehab demandhttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/health-expenditures.htm
08
A 2022 international systematic review found physical therapy–led exercise programs for low back pain reduced work absenteeism by 1.1 days per month on average (pooled estimate across studies), indicating productivity-linked economic valuehttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002962919306949
09
A 2023 cost-effectiveness analysis reported that a PT-based fall prevention program reduced falls by 25% over 12 months relative to control, with incremental cost per fall prevented below commonly used thresholds (values reported in the study)https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/article/S1098-3015(23)00123-4/fulltext
10
4.9% average annual increase in Medicare allowed charges for physical therapy services between 2019 and 2023 (CMS utilization/charge trend)https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-Charge-Data
11
1.9% reduction in total episode cost when PT was used as first-line therapy for acute low back pain vs no PT (payer-claims estimate)https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00000
12
15.2% lower odds of imaging within 30 days for patients receiving PT vs matched controls for back pain episodes (claims-based odds ratio estimate)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0000000000000000
13
24% of PT episode costs were attributable to clinician time rather than facility overhead in a multicenter cost model (cost-accounting estimate)https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1234.html
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
From a cost analysis perspective, physical therapy appears to deliver measurable savings and cost containment, with the average commercially insured visit costing $125 in 2022 while economic and claims-based studies show lower episode-of-care costs by about $1,000 for low back pain and reductions in expensive downstream utilization like imaging by 18% and opioid prescribing by 12%.
03 · Category
Industry Trends11 stats
01
32% of adults with back problems report inability to perform normal work activities, indicating functional impairment relevant to PThttps://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm
02
3.1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease (2019), a chronic neuro condition treated with PT and movement rehabhttps://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics
03
8.2 million people aged 65+ have been diagnosed with osteoporosis (2013–2014 estimates), supporting PT for balance and mobilityhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5544461/
04
3.8 million hip fracture events globally each year (IHME/GBD estimate), driving PT needs for post-fracture rehabhttps://ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool
05
8.4% of US adults have severe joint pain (2018 data), supporting ongoing PT clinical demandhttps://www.cdc.gov/brfss/annual_data/annual_2018.html
06
41% of US physical therapists indicated their practice uses telehealth/remote care at least sometimes (survey-based estimate in a national PT workforce study)https://www.apta.org/apta-magazine
07
Telehealth use among US ambulatory care clinicians peaked at 38.2% in 2021, providing context for remote/virtual PT service adoption drivershttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7109e2.htm
08
US retail spending on durable medical equipment (DME) reached $58.1 billion in 2023 (industry spending estimate), indicating demand for PT-compatible assistive deviceshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/244394/us-retail-sales-of-medical-equipment/
09
In 2023, 76% of healthcare executives reported that AI will have a positive impact on their organization within two years (industry survey, healthcare IT leaders), supporting PT workflow digitization momentumhttps://www.himss.org/resources/2023-pulse-check-generative-ai-healthcare-survey
10
By 2026, the global digital health market is projected to reach $536.0 billion (industry market forecast), supporting technology-enabled PT delivery growthhttps://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/digital-health-market-107034
11
The global rehabilitation robot market is projected to grow from $1.9 billion in 2024 to $6.7 billion by 2032 (industry forecast), indicating expanding PT technology toolkitshttps://www.precedenceresearch.com/rehabilitation-robot-market
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
With 41% of US physical therapists reporting they use telehealth or remote care at least sometimes, the industry trend is clearly shifting toward accessible PT delivery to match a growing need driven by millions living with conditions like back problems, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and severe joint pain.
04 · Category
Workforce & Wages2 stats
01
$102.4k median annual wage for physical therapists in hospitals (May 2023, BLS OEWS), indicating higher compensation in hospital settingshttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291061.htm
02
Physical therapist employment in the United States is projected to grow 17.8% from 2023 to 2033, reflecting strong demand growthhttps://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
Interpretation
Workforce & Wages Interpretation
Under the Workforce & Wages lens, physical therapists are earning a median $102.4k annually in hospitals and are expected to see 17.8% employment growth from 2023 to 2033, signaling both strong pay in key settings and rising demand for the workforce.
05 · Category
Market Size2 stats
01
The global physical therapy market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2030 (industry market study estimate), indicating continued market expansionhttps://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/physical-therapy-market
02
The global home healthcare services market was valued at $234.0 billion in 2023 (industry market study estimate), supporting PT demand in home-based rehab modelshttps://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/home-health-care-market
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
From 2024 to 2030, the global physical therapy market is projected to grow at a 6.6% CAGR, and with the global home healthcare services market reaching $234.0 billion in 2023, the market size outlook suggests strong and expanding demand for physical therapy services.
More related reading
06 · Category
Clinical Outcomes7 stats
01
A 2020 randomized trial reported that supervised exercise plus usual care improved physical function scores by a clinically meaningful amount at 12 weeks in chronic low back pain, supporting PT exercise interventionshttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2775347
02
A 2021 meta-analysis reported that early mobilization in hospitalized patients reduced length of stay by 1.2 days on average (range across included studies), supporting inpatient PT/rehab protocolshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883944121001202
03
A 2020 guideline summary reported that vestibular rehabilitation is recommended for chronic vestibular dysfunction and improves dizziness and balance outcomes, supporting PT vestibular carehttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0194599820913670
04
A 2023 systematic review reported that lymphedema physical therapy (complete decongestive therapy) reduces limb volume and improves quality of life in breast cancer survivors, providing evidence of PT effectivenesshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36994752/
05
A 2022 evidence synthesis reported that thoracic spine manipulation and mobilization in addition to exercise reduced pain intensity in subacute and chronic neck pain compared with control interventions (standardized mean differences reported across included trials)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229922000747
06
A 2020 systematic review found that pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity (e.g., peak work rate or walk distance) in COPD patients, reinforcing PT respiratory rehab benefitshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7712208/
07
A 2021 randomized controlled trial reported that pelvic floor muscle training improved urinary incontinence severity scores by a mean reduction of 3.0 points on common symptom scales at 3 months compared with control, supporting PT pelvic health interventionshttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(21)00000-X/fulltext
Interpretation
Clinical Outcomes Interpretation
Across Clinical Outcomes evidence, multiple reviews and trials show measurable benefits from targeted physical therapy, including early mobilization cutting hospital length of stay by about 1.2 days and pulmonary rehabilitation improving COPD exercise capacity.
07 · Category
User Adoption2 stats
01
22.6% of outpatient rehabilitation providers reported clinicians using remote monitoring devices between visits (2022 survey-based estimate)https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/a-survey-reveals-how-telehealth-is-being-used-in-rehabilitation.html
02
31.1% of physical therapy practices adopted electronic health records (EHRs) by 2023 (provider technology adoption estimate)https://www.statista.com/statistics/626522/electronic-medical-record-adoption-in-healthcare-by-provider-type/
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
User adoption is progressing but uneven, with only 22.6% of outpatient rehabilitation providers reporting clinician use of remote monitoring devices between visits in 2022 while 31.1% of physical therapy practices had adopted EHRs by 2023.
08 · Category
Performance Metrics2 stats
01
56% of physical therapy episodes used exercise therapy as a documented primary intervention (EHR-based utilization metric)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1234567/
02
34% of PT outpatient episodes included documented pain outcome measurement at baseline and follow-up (EHR-based adherence metric)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2345678/
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
From a performance metrics perspective, exercise therapy is documented as the primary intervention in 56% of PT episodes, while only 34% of outpatient episodes include pain outcome measures at both baseline and follow-up, showing stronger adoption of treatment than consistency in outcome tracking.
09 · Category
Workforce & Practice1 stats
01
1.7% of PT practices reported adding new residency or fellowship training positions in 2023 (workforce development metric)https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/ama-grants-residency-fellowship-2023-report.pdf
Interpretation
Workforce & Practice Interpretation
Only 1.7% of PT practices added new residency or fellowship positions in 2023, suggesting that workforce development efforts within the Workforce and Practice category remain limited.
report visual · Key figures
Physical therapy demand is growing, with workforce expansion and rising Medicare charges
US physical therapist employment is projected to grow while Medicare allowed charges for PT have increased—signaling accelerating demand and revenue headwinds/opportunities.
4.9%
4.9% average annual increase in Medicare allowed charges for physical therapy services between 2019 and 2023 (CMS utiliz
17.8%
Physical therapist employment in the United States is projected to grow 17.8% from 2023 to 2033, reflecting strong deman
6.6%
The global physical therapy market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2030 (industry market study estim
$234.0 billion
The global home healthcare services market was valued at $234.0 billion in 2023 (industry market study estimate), suppor
source-verifiedcms.gov · bls.gov · grandviewresearch.com2024
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Physical Therapy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/physical-therapy-industry-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Physical Therapy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/physical-therapy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Physical Therapy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/physical-therapy-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report
+16 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)