🏋️ How much does a physical therapist make?

About $49 an hour

• Annual salary: Some physical therapists are paid an annual salary. Source
• Hourly pay: Some physical therapists are paid by the hour instead of by annual salary. Source

In the United States, most DPT programs require a bachelor's degree and prerequisite courses first. Then complete an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program, usually three years, pass the NPTE, and get a state license.

1. Earn a bachelor's degree and complete DPT prerequisites.
2. Finish an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
3. Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
4. Apply for and receive a license in your state.

Qualifications and exams

Physical therapists need a degree from a CAPTE-accredited DPT program, must pass the NPTE, and need a state license. Some states add a law exam or background check.

A PT reviews patient records and referrals, watches how each person moves, and plans exercises for their needs. The PT guides stretches and movement practice, records progress, and adjusts the care plan.

Which work setting has the highest reported pay?

Among the main industries listed by the BLS, home healthcare had the highest typical yearly pay for physical therapists in 2025: $114,740. Source

Are physical therapists paid by the hour?

In APTA's 2021–22 survey, 25% of PTs were paid hourly. The listed rate for full-time hourly PTs in 2021 was $42 per hour. Source

Does pay differ by region?

Yes. APTA's 2021 survey of full-time salaried PTs reported typical pay of $101,500 in the Pacific region and $88,000 in the Mountain region. Source

Can specialist certification raise pay?

APTA estimated that board-certified PTs earned $2.27 more per hour on average, or about $4,540 a year using a 40-hour week for 50 weeks. This is an estimate, not a guaranteed raise. Source

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