A physical therapist helps people move better and hurt less. Physical therapists evaluate injuries and conditions, design treatment plans and guide patients through exercises and hands-on therapy so they can recover and stay active.
This guide explains what physical therapists do each day, the skills and requirements employers expect, the working conditions, what physical therapists earn and how to become one.
All numbers come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET unless noted. State and employer rules vary, so read each posting before you apply.
Quick jump: Daily dutiesSkillsRequirementsQualificationsWork environmentSalaryOutlookCareer pathHow to becomeJob facts
Physical Therapist Daily Duties and Responsibilities
Duties change by setting, but most days follow the same flow: review, evaluate, treat, teach, coordinate and document.
| Part of the day | Typical duties |
|---|---|
| Start of day | Review referrals, medical records and each patient’s goals |
| Evaluations | Perform initial exams, test strength, movement and function, and set a diagnosis and plan |
| Treatment | Guide exercises, stretching, manual therapy and equipment use to reduce pain and improve mobility |
| Patient education | Teach patients and families home exercises and ways to prevent injury |
| Team | Consult with physicians and supervise physical therapist assistants and aides |
| Progress checks | Track progress, adjust treatment and discharge patients when goals are met |
| End of day | Finish chart notes and documentation |
Here is the full list of physical therapist duties and responsibilities, based on BLS and O*NET:
| Duty | What it means on the job |
|---|---|
| Review referrals | Review the physician’s referral and the patient’s medical records |
| Examine patients | Perform and document an initial exam and identify problems and a diagnosis |
| Test function | Test and measure strength, motor development, function and sensory perception |
| Plan care | Plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs |
| Set goals | Identify and document goals, expected progress and plans for reevaluation |
| Give manual therapy | Use manual exercises, massage or traction to relieve pain and build strength |
| Use physical agents | Apply treatments using equipment such as moist packs and lamps |
| Get informed consent | Explain the proposed treatment, risks and expected benefits and obtain consent |
| Teach patients | Instruct patients and families in treatment procedures to continue at home |
| Track progress | Evaluate the effects of treatment at various stages and adjust it |
| Record care | Record prognosis, treatment, response and progress in the patient’s chart |
| Coordinate care | Confer with the patient, doctors and others to plan and assess the program |
| Supervise staff | Direct, supervise and communicate with assistants, aides and other support staff |
| Refer patients | Refer patients to other practitioners when findings fall outside physical therapy |
| Fit devices | Evaluate, fit or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices |
| Lead group programs | Direct group rehabilitation activities |
| Refer to resources | Refer clients to community resources and services |
| Teach and research | Teach students and support research, where the job includes it |
| Discharge patients | Discharge patients when goals or projected outcomes have been reached |
Physical Therapist Skills
Employers look for clinical skill and for the communication and compassion that keep patients motivated.
Hard skills
| Skill | How you use it |
|---|---|
| Patient evaluation | Examining movement and function and identifying problems |
| Treatment planning | Building individualized care plans with goals and expected outcomes |
| Manual therapy | Using hands-on techniques, massage and traction |
| Therapeutic exercise | Guiding exercises and stretching safely |
| Equipment and physical agents | Using treatment equipment correctly |
| Documentation | Recording progress and keeping accurate charts |
| Electronic records | O*NET hot technologies include eClinicalWorks, MEDITECH, Microsoft Office and Excel |
| Body mechanics | Lifting and moving patients safely (BLS) |
Soft skills
| Quality | What the data says |
|---|---|
| Communication | BLS: explaining treatment, motivating patients and listening to concerns |
| Compassion | BLS: a desire to help and empathy for people in pain |
| Detail orientation | BLS: analytic and observational skills for diagnosis and safe care |
| Dexterity | BLS: using hands for manual therapy and exercise guidance |
| Physical stamina | BLS: enjoying physical activity while working on your feet |
| Resourcefulness | BLS: adapting treatment plans to each patient |
| Time management | BLS: treating several patients daily while completing documentation |
| Work styles | O*NET: optimism, empathy, perseverance, integrity and attention to detail |
Physical Therapist Position Requirements
| Requirement | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Degree | A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from an accredited program, typically 3 years long (BLS) |
| Prerequisites | Usually a bachelor’s degree, plus courses such as anatomy, chemistry and physics (BLS) |
| Coursework | Biomechanics, neuroscience and pharmacology (BLS) |
| Clinical experience | Supervised clinical work, such as acute care and orthopedic care (BLS) |
| Licensure | Required in all states, including a qualifying exam; some states also require a law exam and a criminal background check (BLS) |
| Work experience | None required beyond the degree (BLS) |
| Job Zone | O*NET places the job in Job Zone 5, which calls for extensive preparation |
| Continuing education | Typically required to maintain a license; check with your state board (BLS) |
Requirements vary by state and employer, so read each posting closely before you apply.
Physical Therapist Qualifications
Requirements are the minimum to apply. Qualifications are what make a candidate stand out.
| Qualification | What employers look for |
|---|---|
| Minimum qualifications | A DPT, an active state license and clinical training |
| Education of new hires | In O*NET, 47% needed a doctoral degree, 38% a master’s degree and 8% a bachelor’s degree |
| Residency | Optional; typically about 1 year after graduation (BLS) |
| Fellowship | Optional; offers further specialization (BLS) |
| Board-certified specialty | Optional credentials in areas such as orthopedics, sports and geriatrics, after work experience and an exam (BLS) |
| Setting experience | Time in hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health or pediatrics |
| Electronic records skills | Experience with systems such as eClinicalWorks or MEDITECH |
| Core qualities | Compassion, clear communication, resourcefulness and reliability |
Physical Therapist Work Environment
The BLS says most physical therapists work full time, though part time is common. Much of the job is spent on your feet.
| Work condition | What physical therapists report (O*NET) |
|---|---|
| Contact with others | 94% have constant contact with others |
| Close contact | 93% work in very close physical proximity to others |
| Face-to-face talks | 80% have face-to-face discussions every day |
| Teamwork | 73% say working with a team is extremely important |
| Decisions | 83% make decisions every day, with a lot of freedom |
| Time pressure | 51% face time pressure every day |
| Standing | 61% stand more than half the time |
| Repetitive motions | 46% make repetitive motions more than half the time |
| Bending and twisting | 38% bend or twist about half the time |
| Indoors | 88% work indoors in a controlled environment every day |
| Schedule (BLS) | Most work full time, though part time is common; most work normal business hours, and some work evenings or weekends |
| Injury risk (BLS) | Lifting and moving patients makes back injuries a risk; proper body mechanics and lifting techniques reduce it |
Where physical therapists work
| Industry (BLS) | Share of physical therapists |
|---|---|
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 36% |
| Hospitals | 26% |
| Home healthcare services | 11% |
| Offices of physicians | 6% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 6% |
Physical Therapist Salary
The BLS reports a May 2025 median salary of $102,760 a year for physical therapists, compared with $50,980 for all occupations. Your salary depends on your state, setting, specialty and experience.
| Measure (May 2025 BLS wage data) | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earned | Less than $77,140 |
| Median | $102,760 ($49.40 an hour) |
| Highest 10% earned | More than $135,140 |
| All occupations (median) | $50,980 |
Median salary by industry
| Industry | Median salary (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Home healthcare services | $114,740 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $110,460 |
| Hospitals | $106,800 |
| Offices of physicians | $102,010 |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | $97,160 |
Physical Therapist Job Outlook
The BLS projects employment of physical therapists to grow 12% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations, adding about 33,800 jobs to the 283,700 jobs in 2025. About 13,400 openings a year are expected. An aging population, more chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and musculoskeletal disorders and a greater emphasis on nonopioid pain management are expected to increase demand.
Physical Therapist Career Path
The BLS describes optional residencies and fellowships for further training and board-certified specialist credentials in areas such as orthopedics, sports and geriatrics. Some physical therapists specialize, and many develop fitness and wellness programs. O*NET lists related titles such as acute care PT, outpatient PT, home care physical therapist and pediatric PT. Related careers include:
| Related job | Typical entry education | Median salary (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational therapists | Master’s degree | $100,330 |
| Speech-language pathologists | Master’s degree | $97,870 |
| Athletic trainers | Master’s degree | $62,520 |
| Physical therapist assistants and aides | See BLS profile | $61,200 |
How to Become a Physical Therapist
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. Include anatomy, chemistry and physics courses for DPT admission.
- Complete a DPT program. Choose an accredited program; it typically takes 3 years.
- Finish supervised clinical work. Programs include rotations such as acute care and orthopedic care.
- Pass the licensing exam. Licensure is required in all states; check your state board for law exam and background check rules.
- Consider a residency or fellowship. Both are optional and add specialized training.
- Earn specialty certification. Board-certified specialist credentials are optional and follow work experience.
Is this job right for you?
- Do you enjoy helping people recover and regain movement?
- Are you ready for a bachelor’s degree followed by a typical 3-year DPT?
- Are you comfortable on your feet and working hands-on with patients?
- Can you explain treatment clearly and keep patients motivated?
- Do you want a growing field with a six-figure median salary?
Physical Therapist Job Facts at a Glance
| Quick fact | What to know |
|---|---|
| What physical therapists do | Evaluate patients, build treatment plans and use exercise, hands-on therapy and equipment to reduce pain and improve movement (BLS; O*NET) |
| Median salary (May 2025) | $102,760 a year, or $49.40 an hour (BLS) |
| Jobs in 2025 | About 283,700 physical therapists |
| Job outlook, 2025 to 2035 | 12% growth, much faster than average; about 13,400 openings a year |
| Education | Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), typically 3 years, after a bachelor’s degree |
| Experience and training | No related work experience and no on-the-job training required (BLS) |
| Licensure | Required in all states; includes passing a qualifying exam |
| Common job titles | Physical therapist, DPT, acute care PT, outpatient PT, home care physical therapist, pediatric PT, inpatient PT (O*NET) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a physical therapist do?
Physical therapists help people recover movement and reduce pain. They review referrals, evaluate patients, build individualized care plans and use exercises, stretching, hands-on therapy and equipment, then track progress and teach patients and families.
What are the main duties of a physical therapist?
Reviewing medical records, examining patients, testing strength and function, planning and delivering treatment, setting goals, educating patients, documenting progress, supervising assistants and aides and discharging patients when goals are met.
What skills does a physical therapist need?
Patient evaluation, treatment planning, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and documentation, plus communication, compassion, detail orientation, dexterity, stamina, resourcefulness and time management.
What education do you need to be a physical therapist?
A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from an accredited program, typically 3 years long, after a bachelor’s degree with courses such as anatomy, chemistry and physics.
Do physical therapists need a license?
Yes. Licensure is required in all states and includes passing a qualifying exam. Some states also require a law exam and a criminal background check, and continuing education is typically required to keep the license.
How much do physical therapists make?
The BLS median salary was $102,760 a year ($49.40 an hour) in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $77,140 and the highest 10% more than $135,140.
Where do physical therapists work?
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists (36%), hospitals (26%), home healthcare services (11%), physicians’ offices (6%) and nursing and residential care facilities (6%).
What is the job outlook for physical therapists?
The BLS projects 12% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, rising from 283,700 to 317,600 jobs, with about 13,400 openings a year. An aging population, chronic conditions and an emphasis on nonopioid pain management drive demand.
Do physical therapists need a residency or specialty certification?
No, both are optional. Residencies typically last about 1 year, fellowships offer more specialization and board-certified specialist credentials are available in areas such as orthopedics, sports and geriatrics.
Is physical therapy physically demanding?
Yes. Much of the day is spent on your feet, and lifting and moving patients creates a risk of back injury. The BLS says proper body mechanics and lifting techniques reduce that risk.
Conclusion
A physical therapist gives patients back movement, independence and confidence. With a DPT, a state license and strong people skills, you can build a rewarding career in a field the BLS expects to grow much faster than average. If you are ready to apply, use the resources below to prepare.
Related Reading
- Physical therapist cover letter samples
- Physical therapist resume summary examples
- Physical therapist resume objective examples
- Physical therapist assistant job description, skills and salary
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapists. O*NET OnLine, 29-1123.00 Physical Therapists. Requirements vary by state and employer; check the posting before you apply.