Physical Therapists?

Question

whats the Job Description, Salary, Outlook, and all the schooling needed for it?!

Answer 1

The outlook is great for Physical Therapists! I am an RN working primarily in the Rehab department. All categories in medical related careers are booming as the baby boomers grow up. The elderly population is getting larger and larger (in numbers and weight, actually). I live in Southern California so salaries may be different where you are. The PT at my hospital (I am an RN) make more money than I do. At the hospital, they work with patients after surgery to get them walking again. They work mainly with the lower body. Occupational Therapists work with the upper body. A PT can also work at a sports medicine clinics or doctor's offices.Volunteer work in the PT dept of a hospital or with a team trainer at your school would be a good way to check out the job and help get you into PT school. You will need to finish a bachelor's degree program with lots of science classes (biology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology etc.). Then you will apply to a master's degree PT program. After finishing the master's program, you will need to take a licensing exam. Salary would run $80-90K. We are constantly looking for PTs for our hospital.

Good luck in your career hunt!

Answer 2

Technurse has a pretty good answer.

PT is expected to grow much faster than average.  The minimum degree is a master's degree, but most program are now an entry level doctorate.  Education typically takes 6-7 years to complete.

$80,000 is certainly possible in CA, but this is the state with the highest pay (also highest cost of living).

Nationally, average salary for PTs is about $66,000.  Most PTs are earning somewhere between $50-75,000, yet another 25% earn more than that.