How Much Do Physical Therapists Make? (2024 Guide)

Physical therapy (PT) is a crucial field of healthcare that focuses on improving 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.¹

Earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at a graduate school like the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) prepares you for a career in a growing industry. However, you may wonder: How much does a physical therapist make, and what you can do with a graduate physical therapy degree?

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

Highest-Paid Physical Therapist Specialties

How much do physical therapists make? The median annual salary for U.S.-based PTs is $99,710 as of May 2023.² The top 10% of PTs earned more than $130,870 annually.²

The average PT salary does not account for location, years of experience, facility type, credentials or specialty. While there’s no simple answer to what’s the highest-paid physical therapist specialty, there are skill sets and employer preference indicators. The physical therapist industries with the highest annual median salaries as of May 2023 include:²

1. Home Healthcare Services: $107,870
2. Hospitals: $103,690
3. Nursing and residential care facilities: $102,810
4. Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists: $93,050

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make, by State

Different Types of Board-Certified Physical Therapists and Salaries

Do physical therapists make good money? That depends on their specialty. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Specialist Certification program – governed by The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABTS) – offers ten specialty areas for physical therapists.⁴

PT salaries will vary depending on location, skills and job type. Following are the average annual salaries for how much a physical therapist makes on average for these specialties in the U.S.:**

1. Wound Management: $88,225⁵
2. Geriatrics: $83,936⁶
3. Orthopedics: $82,000⁷
4. Sports: $75,000⁸
5. Clinical Electrophysiology: $75,000⁹
6. Neurology: $74,746¹⁰
7. Oncology: $76,658¹¹
8. Pediatrics: $71,684¹²
9. Women’s Health: $84,000¹³

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
• Specialty
• Market demand

Continually investing in your professional growth, refining your skills and seeking opportunities to advance your career can contribute to your long-term earning potential as a physical therapist. If you want the answer to “how much does a physical therapist make” to be a higher number, below are some helpful tips that can help increase your salary as a PT.

Leverage Your Specialty with Other Industries

If you aim for a higher physical therapist salary, you can get ahead by combining management with PT practice. Consider the following roles and average annual salaries:**

• Rehabilitation Director: $93,836¹⁴
• Physical Therapy Director: $91,894¹⁵
• Director of Managed Care: $127,998¹⁶
• Senior Director of Clinical Services: $132,157¹⁷

Are you interested in a career in research and health sciences? The average annual salary for a medical scientist is $100,890.¹⁸

Find the Right Home for Your Specialty

Another way to maximize your PT salary is geographic targeting or learning where physical therapists work. Do physical therapists make good money? PT salaries vary by city and state and do not always align with the cost of living.

Look at nationwide average salaries 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 different types of physical therapists and 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, research how much physical therapists make 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.

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Physical Therapist Salary FAQs

How much does a physical therapist make? Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about physical therapist salaries.

What Do the Highest 10% of PTs Earn?

According to the BLS, the top 10% of PTs earn about $130,870 annually.² PT salary averages do not factor in location, years of experience, facility type, credentials or specialties.

What is the Highest Paid Physical Therapist?

PTs who work in the home healthcare service industry are the types of physical therapists with the highest salary.² As of May 2023, the annual median salary for U.S.-based physical therapists working in home healthcare services was $107,870.

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 supporting others. Whether it’s helping patients recover from injuries, regain mobility, manage chronic conditions or improve their physical well-being, PTs can contribute to individuals’ overall quality of life.
• Varied work environments: PTs choose their work settings, including 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. Pursue specialist certifications, take on leadership roles, engage in research or academia or start a private 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 the opportunity to exchange ideas and deliver comprehensive patient care.
• Competitive salary: Do physical therapists make good money? Yes! PTs typically enjoy a competitive salary as demand continues to increase—the BLS projects a 15% employment growth for physical therapists between 2022 and 2032.¹

While how much a physical therapist makes can vary depending on experience, specialty, 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).* At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), you’ll learn alongside expert faculty-practitioners as a part of a collaborative peer network.

With hands-on health science training and immersive 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.

Engage with us today to learn more about the DPT program, attend a free webinar or start your DPT 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 during 2020-2022, as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data is captured by IPEDS through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational 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: Job Outlook,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, April 17 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-6
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Physical Therapists: Pay,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, April 17 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-5
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023,” Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, April 3, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/oes/currenT/oes291123.htm#nat
4. American Physical Therapy Association, “Specialist Certification,” July 9 2023, https://www.apta.org/your-career/career-advancement/specialist-certification
5. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Wound Care Skills Hourly Pay,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Hourly_Rate/401ff148/Wound-Care
6. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Geriatrics Skills Hourly Pay” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Hourly_Rate/7faeabf6/Geriatrics
7. Payscale, “Salary for Certification: Physical Therapist – Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (PT-OCS)”, July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Physical_Therapist_-_Orthopaedic_Certified_Specialist_(PT-OCS)/Salary
8. Payscale, “Average Sports Physical Therapist Salary,” Sports Physical Therapist, July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Sports_Physical_Therapist/Salary
9. Payscale, “Salary for Certification: Physical Therapist – Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist (PT-ECS),” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Physical_Therapist_-_Clinical_Electrophysiologic_Certified_Specialist_(PT-ECS)/Salary
10. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Neurology Clinic Skills Salary, July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Salary/eebbcf96/Neurology-Clinic
11. Payscale, “Average Physical Therapist (PT) with Oncology Skills Salary,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physical_Therapist_(PT)/Hourly_Rate/68a83d62/Oncology
12. Payscale, “Average Pediatric Physical Therapist with Physical Therapy Skills Salary,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pediatric_Physical_Therapist/Salary/8990a3b6/Physical-Therapy
13. Payscale, “Salary for Certification: Physical Therapist – Women’s Health Specialists,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Physical_Therapist_-_Women%27s_Health_Specialist/Salary
14. Payscale, “Average rehabilitation Director Salary,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Rehabilitation_Director/Salary
15. Payscale, “Average Director, Physical Therapy Salary,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director%2C_Physical_Therapy/Salary
16. Payscale, “Average Director of Managed Care Salary,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Managed_Care/Salary
17. Payscale, “Average Senior Director, Clinical Services Salary,” July 9 2023, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Senior_Director%2C_Clinical_Services/Salary
18. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic, “Medical Scientists,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm