How much does Physical Therapy pay a month?

Question

I am looking into Physical Therapy, and I wanted to know what their monthly payments are, and If possible, a little information on the classes I should take in High School.

Answer 1

A new grad today could expect to make $35-$40/ hour.  Your actual rate will depend on your practice setting (outpatient clinic, nursing home, home health, or hospital) and your location (rural vs city).  Per diem employees (no guaranteed hours- you're on call- and no benefits) make more.  But guessing what the pay will be when you graduate from therapy school in 7-8 years (all programs will be doctorate degrees by 2010) is a bit more tricky.  Yes, there will always be a demand for therapists, but if Medicare tightens payments again, as it did with the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, salaries go down as payments go down.  I graduated in 1999 and was lucky to get my first job as a PT for $18/hr.  Do not get into Physical Therapy for the money- do it because you love it!  

Answer 2

Earning Potential

According to the American Physical Therapy Association 2005 Median Income of Physical Therapists Summary Report, median annual earnings of physical therapists were $68,000 in 2004. Median earnings ranged from $51,000 for physical therapists with 0-3 years of experience to $75,000 for physical therapists with more than 15 years of experience.