In this Article
By: All Allied Health Staff
Updated: January 27, 2026
From teaching someone to walk again to relieving the pain of severe arthritis, a day in the life of a physical therapist (PT) can be challenging but immensely rewarding.
Key takeaways
- Physical therapists help patients improve mobility, manage pain and enhance overall quality of life through personalized treatment plans.
- Physical therapists can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, sports and fitness centers, home health services, schools and research centers.
- Job opportunities for physical therapists are expected to grow significantly, with a strong job outlook and competitive salaries.
Making a difference
Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients who have health conditions that limit their ability to move and perform everyday activities. They not only help patients restore their physical function and mobility, they also work to promote overall wellness and boost their quality of life.
PTs can also help patients avoid surgery and reduce the need for prescription drugs. In many cases, they form long-term relationships with patients that are rewarded by seeing their hard work pay off.
In fact, they act both a clinical expert and a cheerleader in many scenarios. They need a deep understanding of human anatomy and kinesiology, but must also be adept at motivating and encouraging people who are struggling with pain and physical dysfunction.
Although this article focuses on the role of physical therapists, you may also want to consider a career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA). PTAs provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a PT and need a two-year associate degree in order to practice.
Keep reading to learn more about what exactly physical therapists do, plus helpful information about education requirements and specializations.
What physical therapists do
During a patient’s initial appointment, physical therapists ask about their medical history, evaluate their symptoms and develop a rehabilitation plan that aligns with the patient’s personal needs and goals.
Throughout the treatment process, they work directly with the patient to teach them different functional tasks and exercises intended to strengthen or stretch muscles as well as alleviate pain.
A physical therapist’s responsibilities include:
Physical therapists are vital members of a patient’s healthcare team and may work alongside other care providers to help patients with both acute and chronic conditions.
In a hospital setting, nursing home or a rehabilitation facility, physical therapists often share information and coordinate treatment plans with a variety of care providers on site such as physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, speech therapists or physical therapist assistants.
If they work in an outpatient clinic, PTs may also communicate with the patient’s primary care provider to develop and modify treatment plans. They may also work in conjunction with a massage therapist, or they may supervise a physical therapy assistant or exercise specialist as well.
Physical therapists draw on many different disciplines to perform their job. They apply knowledge of anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, and other areas.
Physical therapists also need to be effective communicators and have strong interpersonal skills to motivate their patients and provide compassionate care. Think about it—if a patient is recovering from a serious injury, for instance, they’re probably feeling a lot more than just physical pain. They might be angry, frustrated or downright defeated. They may not want to do the exercises they know they need to in order to regain mobility. As a physical therapist, you’ve got to connect with the patient and motivate them to make progress. On average, physical therapists tend to spend more one-on-one time with patients than many other types of healthcare practitioners, so building trust and positive rapport is essential.
Physical therapy vs. occupational therapy
Physical therapists and occupational therapists both work in rehabilitation therapy and use many of the same skills. Their jobs may seem similar, but they are quite different. Physical therapists help people improve their movement and manage their pain, whereas occupational therapists focus on helping patients develop or regain the skills needed for daily tasks so they can function independently.
For example, an occupational therapist might help a child develop the skills needed to grow up independently, or a stroke victim learn how to get dressed and avoid fall hazards. They might help someone with multiple sclerosis get comfortable using a wheelchair and bathroom safety devices so they can keep living at home even when their physical abilities have changed.
Another big-picture difference between physical therapists and occupational therapists is that PTs focus more on helping patients maintain or recover whole-body movements—walking, running, lifting their arms and the like. Occupational therapists typically know more about helping patients perform daily tasks that require more fine motor skills such as writing, eating with utensils or buttoning clothes.
In the course of treatment, some patients work with both a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. Each of these roles provides similar but distinct functions in helping people recover and perform the activities that are essential for daily life.
What it’s like to work as a physical therapist
If you’re looking for a job that could bring personal fulfillment each day, physical therapy is one to consider. It often appears in online lists of jobs with the highest job satisfaction for a couple of reasons: you get to help people get healthy in visible and tangible ways, you get to build relationships with your patients, it usually offers a sustainable work-life balance and it generally pays quite well. Plus, physical therapists don’t usually encounter the stress of life-or-death scenarios like some other healthcare providers.
But what does a typical day in the life of a PT look like? Daily routines and job responsibilities can vary slightly depending on where you work. Here’s a quick overview of what PTs do in different settings:
Although each setting is unique and may require you to work with different types of patients, physical therapists still carry out the same fundamental role: developing treatment plans, educating patients and families about therapeutic exercises and promoting overall health and healing.
Typical work schedule
Unlike many nurses or physicians who have to respond to emergencies 24/7, physical therapists do not have to work overnight shifts. Work hours for physical therapists generally range from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., although some PTs may start earlier or work later in the evening to accommodate the busy schedules of patients.
However, PTs that work in hospitals or nursing homes may need to work hours on the weekends or on holidays to provide continuous patient care.
How to become a physical therapist
The road to becoming a physical therapist involves a thorough education and a variety of hands-on clinical experiences so you can develop both the knowledge and skills to treat all types of patients.
A physical therapy education is designed to provide you with a strong foundation so you can go on to work in any setting after graduation. Additional training and specializations are also available if you would like to build your expertise in a specific area.
Education and training
Physical therapists in the U.S. must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in order to work as a licensed physical therapist. DPT programs typically last about three years. Most people entering DPT programs have a bachelor’s in health science, kinesiology, biology or something similar, but there are a few exceptions.
“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 (undergraduate/pre-PT) courses must be taken before the student can advance into a three-year professional DPT program,” says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Once accepted, DPT programs begin with classroom-based learning and then transitions into a series of clinical experiences to help students develop hands-on skills
“Approximately 77% of the DPT curriculum is classroom (didactic) and lab study and the remaining 23% is dedicated to clinical education. Physical therapy students spend on average 22 weeks in their final clinical experience,” APTA says.
After graduation, you must pass the national physical therapy exam and apply for a state license. You may also decide to enroll in a residency or fellowship program to develop your expertise in a specific area, although this is not a requirement. Fellowships and residencies provide advanced training and mentorship and can put you on a faster track to earning a board certification.
Certification
Why become a board-certified specialist?
According to the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), board certification can help physical therapists develop specialized knowledge and skills and become a leader in their field field. A prestigious credential like board certification can open up new employment opportunities and may lead to higher pay.
Board certification is available for the following areas:
To become board certified, licensed PTs must complete 2,000 hours of clinical experience in the specialty area and pass a written exam.
What’s the job outlook for physical therapists?
The physical therapist job outlook is bright. Employment for PTs is expected to grow 10.9% through 2034, and job opportunities are expected to expand in all healthcare settings, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The BLS reports that the median annual pay for physical therapists is $101,020. Salaries for physical therapists generally range from $74,420 (bottom 10%) to $132,500 (top 10%). Home healthcare services tend to offer the highest pay, followed by nursing and residential care facilities.
Physical therapy career paths
A physical therapy career path offers plenty of variety and opportunities for advancement. Besides choosing the type of healthcare setting you wish to work in, you can also develop one or more specialties throughout your career to advance your knowledge.
In addition, you may wish to take on a management role to oversee a staff of PTs or open up a private practice to run your own business. Another option is to pursue research opportunities or work as a professor or educator one day.
Specialization examples
There are a range of PT specializations to choose from, whether or not you decide to become board certified. Here are a few practice areas:
Continuing education
Even if you don’t decide to pursue a residency or fellowship, you can expect to take various continuing education classes throughout your career. In fact, most states require you to complete continuing professional development in order to maintain your state license.
A huge range of courses are available to help you increase your skills and knowledge of a specific area. Just a few examples include:
How to get started
A successful career in physical therapy begins with a solid education, whether you need to complete a bachelor’s degree and pre-requisite courses for graduate school, or you’re ready to apply to DPT programs. Click the Find Schools button to start searching for programs today.