Dr Of Physical Therapy Salary

A Salary Should Vs Need

How much SHOULD a Doctor of Physical Therapy Make?

In fact, its not a matter of how much you SHOULD earn as a PT at all. Theres no magic number that justifies your worth as a physical therapist. Rather, its about how much you need to make, for your particular circumstances.

Maybe you dont need to make six figures. There are PTs out there happily employed at $40,000, working part-time, debt-free and in love with their work-life balance.

But if youre a new grad with $150k in loans, a higher salary is not an entitlement, its a must. You cannot expect to pay off this amount of debt quickly while working a job in an outpatient clinic for $60-70k a year. The opportunity to make $100k or more is out there you just have to be willing to do something different.

The good news is that you dont have to change careers entirely to pay off your loans. However, you should consider a different type of therapy job one that pays better, such as home health or travel physical therapy.

Why Home Health And Travel Pt Pays

The annual salary and hourly wage are higher for a home health or travel PT than for a therapist in an outpatient clinic. Thats because the former are paid on a per-patient basis and are more efficient with scheduling, treatments, and documentation.

Savvy home health and travel PTs can earn $100k$120k or more annually. The more efficient their work, the more income they generate.

Sure, its not all rainbows and butterflies in home health. There are aspects of travel therapy that arent glamorous. Frankly, thats part of the reason why these avenues pay more. The money is in the work people arent willing to do find a job no one wants, and youll probably find a higher pay.

But to maximize your salary as a home health or travel PT, you must manage your time well and document your work efficiently.

A Physical Therapy License In Your State

Every physical therapy graduate must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination in order to obtain the appropriate state license or certification. Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. State regulatory boards manage licensure for each individual state, so you must obtain a state license in order to practice physical therapy in that state. Specific licensure requirements vary according to each states physical therapy practice act, but all require a minimum score of 600 on the NPTE. Physical therapy aides do not require any special certification.

Occupational Employment And Wage Statistics

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Physical therapists

How Much Does A Doctor Physical Therapy Make In Virginia

Doctor Of Physical Therapy Salary Atlanta

As of Sep 8, 2022, the average annual pay for a Doctor Physical Therapy in Virginia is $63,636 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $30.59 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,223/week or $5,303/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $174,303 and as low as $18,553, the majority of Doctor Physical Therapy salaries currently range between $31,735 to $83,001 with top earners making $117,666 annually in Virginia.

The average pay range for a Doctor Physical Therapy varies greatly , which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Doctor Physical Therapy job market in Virginia is not very active as few companies are currently hiring.

Virginia ranks number 21 out of 50 states nationwide for Doctor Physical Therapy salaries.

To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Doctor Physical Therapy jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.

Find your next high paying job as a on ZipRecruiter today.

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Getting Into A Dpt Program

Most DPT programs require applicants to earn a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. Other programs offer a 3+3 curricular format in which three years of specific preprofessional courses must be taken before the student can advance into a three-year professional DPT program.

A few programs offer freshman entry, recruiting students directly from high school into a guaranteed admissions program. High school students accepted into these programs can automatically advance into the professional phase of the DPT program, pending the completion of specific undergraduate courses and any other stated contingencies, e.g., minimum GPA.

The list of programs at PTCAS includes requirements for each programs.

What Are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Doctor Physical Therapy Jobs In Florida

Weve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Doctor Physical Therapy job is above the average in Florida. Topping the list is Cape Coral, with Palm Coast and Palm Beach Shores close behind in second and third. Palm Beach Shores beats the Florida average by 22.4%, and Cape Coral furthers that trend with another $14,903 above the $52,030.

With these 10 cities paying on average above the average for Florida, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Doctor Physical Therapy appears to be exceedingly fruitful.

Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top 10 cities varies very little at 11% between Cape Coral and Miami, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Doctor Physical Therapy role.

City
$28.57

My Experience As A Home Health Dpt

Ive been in your shoes. I started out as an outpatient therapist earning less than $70,000 a year. Then I became a home health PT averaging over $50 an hour which put me above the six-figure mark as a physical therapist.

For some reason, weve been led to believe that because of a lack of experience, new graduates shouldnt take jobs in home health or travel therapy. I think that advice is absolutely garbage. Thats where the high-paying jobs are!

I recommend home health and travel therapy as a way to earn six figures or more as a PT. It doesnt matter whether youre a brand-new grad or a PT three years out of school with six figures of student debt. Youll earn more because these jobs pay more.

District Of Columbia : $96070/year

Physical Therapist Salary | How Much Money Does a Physical Therapist Make?

With a mean hourly rate of $46.19/hour, PTs in the nations capital can earn upwards of $96,070 per year. As for job openings, youll find an average of just 40 each year through to 2030, making D.C. a good place to start your private practice.

The cost of living in D.C. is 158.8 on the indexin fact, its the most expensive place to live in the country, behind Hawaii.

What Physical Therapists Do

Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.

Physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life. Many patients have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that need treatment. But PTs also care for people who simply want to become healthier and to prevent future problems.

Physical therapists examine each person and then develops a treatment plan to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

Physical therapists can have a profound effect on peoples lives. They help people achieve fitness goals, regain or maintain their independence, and lead active lives.

Visit ChoosePT.com, APTAs official consumer information website, to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy.

Careers In Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the practice of helping people improve their quality of life by optimizing their ability to move. While there are actually several types of physical therapy jobs including physical therapist assistant and physical therapy aide a physical therapist is someone who has earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The majority of physical therapists do not practice in hospitals but instead work in outpatient clinics and offices, schools, rehabilitation facilities, nursing facilities and a variety of other settings.

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Basic And Transferable Workplace Skills

Basic skills for physical therapists and related careers include:

Active listening: Physical therapists, assistants and aides need to gather information from patients while allowing them to feel seen and heard.
Critical thinking: Patients may present complex symptoms or unpredictable responses to treatment, and physical therapists must look for patterns and processes in order to diagnose and treat effectively.
Empathy and compassion: Positive bedside manner is essential as physical therapists guide patients through recovery.
Physical fitness: Physical therapy is an active career where you may be on your feet most of the day. You may need to help support patients as they move or lift and manipulate medical equipment.

Some physical therapy skills can transfer to other job environments:

Giving health care instruction.
Using tablets, laptops and other devices.
Complying with HIPAA and other health care privacy regulations.

So How Much Does A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Make

The working wages of a PT can fluctuate widely, and I know that firsthand. Throughout my career, Ive earned salaries ranging from the $60ks to the $80ks, and as much as $120k in certain situations.

But the average salary of PTs, regardless of their doctorate degree, is well below the six figures you might expect of a doctor. In fact, average earnings sit at $88,000 annually, while an outpatient PT salary starts at $70,000 on average.

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A Degree From A Capte

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education ensures the quality of physical therapy education programs throughout the country. But how much education does a physical therapist need? There is some variation between programs, but most CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate programs are three years long and require a bachelors degree for admission. DPT degree holders may complete optional residencies and fellowships to further their education. Physical therapists can also pursue specialty certification in fields like geriatrics, orthopedics, pediatrics and others through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Physical therapy assistants must obtain a two-year associate degree from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education program. Physical therapy aides do not need any particular level of education or licensure but should possess the basic and transferable skills listed above.

Physical Therapists Graduate With More Student Loans Than Anticipated

A 2020 APTA survey of PTs and physical therapy assistants found that graduates have an average of $110,000 in student debt thats directly related to their PT education. Further, 9 in 10 physical therapists have a cumulative debt load of nearly $153,000 .

The problem isnt isolated to DPT graduates either. The survey found that nearly 50% of PTAs end up with student debt, too, with an average student loan balance of $24,308. These high numbers match up with the student debt totals Student Loan Planner® consultants have seen from practicing physical therapy clients.

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Physical Therapist Salary And Job Outlook By State

Using data from the BLS2 and the Projections Managing Partnership ,3 well examine your potential future after you have pursued a physical therapy graduate program and become a licensed physical therapistno matter where in the country you find yourself.

Keep in mind that the most recent numbers from the BLS are from May 2021, so salaries may have changed in the time since. Learning more about physical therapists salaries will help you answer, Is a DPT degree worth it? We think youll agree that it is.

New Graduate Salary For A Doctor Of Physical Therapy

Is Physical Therapy School worth it in 2021? [PT Tuition vs Salary]

Physical therapists treat patients and teach them how to manage their conditions to live with greater mobility and less pain. In the past, physical therapists earned either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field. Under new regulations, training is a three-year, post-baccalaureate program culminating in the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The average new physical therapist salary is $84,141 annually.

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Best Physical Therapist Repayment Options When Pslf Is Unavailable

In this case, Jareds next best option financially would be to refinance into a new 10-year private student loan at 3.5%. But if cash flow is Jareds biggest concern, then his best choice would be PAYE.

At the beginning of repayment, PAYE would free up nearly $700 in Jareds monthly budget over refinancing. Yet PAYE would also cost $36,000 less than REPAYE over the life of the loan.

Yes, youll pay nearly $50,000 more in total out-of-pocket payments with PAYE over refinancing. But, remember that Jared would have an extra 10 years to make those payments. And in the meantime, his cash flow situation would be far more manageable.

Documentation Time Can Lower Your Hourly Rate

Just because a salary is higher than $67,000 doesnt mean youll get an above-average hourly rate, especially if you have to carve out unpaid time for documentation. For instance, suppose your salary is $75,000, or about $36/hour for a 40-hour/week schedule. Spending an additional 10 hours/week on documentation will lower your hourly rate to $28/hour.

Compare these two scenarios:

A salaried therapist with 10+ years of experience earns $89,000, but if she works 50 hours per week, she earns $34/hour.
An hourly therapist with < 5 years of experience earns $80,000 annually, but by working only 40 hours a week, her rate is $38/hour.

Dont be swayed by the salary alone! Before you take the job, consider: how many hours will you have to work?

And to find out, ask other PTs how many hours beyond the 40-hour workweek they spend on documentation.

Smart Tip: If your clinic offers a salaried position but requires that you document on your own time, consider renegotiating the hours you spend for clinic time and request that 3060 minutes per day be reserved for documentation time.

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Misconception #: Higher Degree = Higher Salary

First, I disagree with the idea that someone deserves a high salary simply because theyve completed a degree or achieved a certain title.

I get it we worked hard in PT school to complete a 3-year DPT. Not only was it an arduous effort, it was expensive too, and half of graduating PTs paid more than $150,000 for their degree .

But in reality, most physical therapy jobs pay much less than six figures, starting in the $60-70k range and averaging out around $88k a year.

The degree doesnt fetch you a higher salary. There are plenty of Doctors in all kinds of fields, including healthcare professions such as therapy and chiropraxy, who earn $60-80k a year.

We need to lose the expectation that a Doctor of Physical Therapy should be paid like a doctor in six figures.

Higher Student Loan Balances Change The Discussion

If Jared owed $250,000 or more, choosing an income-driven repayment plan would become more of a no-brainer.

At that point, PAYE would cost slightly more than refinancing over the life of the loan if you could include tax bomb. But, remember, monthly payments would be dramatically lower all along the way.

Physical Therapist Education And Licensure

To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., you must earn a doctor of physical therapy degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam.

The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years. Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to, biology/anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, and musculoskeletal.

Approximately 80% of the DPT curriculum is classroom and lab study and the remaining 20% is dedicated to clinical education. PT students spend on average 27.5 weeks in their final clinical experience.

If you are an internationally educated PT or PTA, please read more information on internationally educated PTs and PTAs.

How Much Does A Doctor Physical Therapy Make In Florida

As of Sep 8, 2022, the average annual pay for a Doctor Physical Therapy in Florida is $52,030 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $25.01 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,000/week or $4,335/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $148,140 and as low as $15,768, the majority of Doctor Physical Therapy salaries currently range between $26,972 to $70,542 with top earners making $100,004 annually in Florida.

Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Doctor Physical Therapy job market in Florida is not very active as few companies are currently hiring.

Florida ranks number 48 out of 50 states nationwide for Doctor Physical Therapy salaries.