10 Emerging

g Trends in Physica
al Therapy
y Salaries
Physical therapy
t
salarry is depende
ent on many factors.
f
Lets
begin by understanding consumer perception
p
off, and the full
scope of physical
p
thera
apy.
Consume
ers believe tha
at physical th
herapy is abo
out pain relief
and masssages. In fac
ct, the scope
e of physical therapist is
much grea
ater.
New Nichess in Physical
A recent article on Monster.com:
M
Therapy Practice note
ed that physsical therapists (PTs) are
carving out
o a variety of useful ye
et nontraditio
onal practice
niches in
n response to changin
ng societal needs and
demands..
This mea
ans that as society
s
is cha
anging and evolving,
e
the
need for physical
p
thera
apists is incre
easing. This e
explains why
physical therapy sala
aries (and ph
hysical therapy assistant
salaries) are
a on the rise
e.
New pracctice specialtie
es in the perfforming arts, emergency
e
/ urgent care, obesity mana
agement, wom
mens
health and
d even anima
al therapy are
e leading to a higher physiccal therapy sttarting salary. The demand
d for a
physical therapist is gro
owing.
Therapistss help in the treatment of bone
b
and join
nt abnormalities, auto-imm
mune and neurological dise
eases,
to name a few.
The avverage startin
ng annual sa
alary for a ph
hysical therap
pist according to Google is $57,220. The
median an
nnual salary for
f a physical therapist as cited by Sala
ary.com is $79
9,863 with a range
r
of $73,574
$86,643 (HR reported data as of Fe
ebruary 2016)).

What determines
d
s physical therapy salary?
Compenssation for a ph
hysical therap
pist is determined by a num
mber of factorss:

Supply and demand as dictated by geographic locatio

on
Le
evel of educa
ation (advance
ed degrees are often leverraged into hig
gher starting salaries)
s
Y
Years
of experrience
Tyype of therap
py clinic
Size of the employer

There are
e tangible (and non tangible skills) on yo
our resume th
hat can contrribute to a hig
gh physical therapy
salary. Be
esides industrry trends, here
e are the ten emerging trends in physiccal therapy sa
alaries in 2016
6:

Demand fo
or a Doctora
ate degree (D
DPT Docto
or of Physical Therapy) Potential emplloyers
look for DPT
T candidates. This is a com
mpetitive edge. It can be le
ead to a highe
er physical therapy

starting salary. Interestingly, this is in direct contradiction to a recent article published by

ADVANCE magazine. The article indicated that a significant number of physical therapists with
a Bachelor or Masters degree are earning higher annual salaries than those with a Doctorate
degree. This is presumably because the acquisition of doctorate degrees by therapists is a
more recent phenomenon within the physical therapy industry. Those physical therapists with
Bachelor or Master Degrees have been in the workforce for a longer period of time compared
to those who have earned a DPT. More experience translates into higher earnings than their
more educated (but newer to the workforce) colleagues.

Certifications of Specialization increase the odds that physical therapy starting salary will be
higher. Those in possession of advanced clinical knowledge and skills in such specialized
areas of practice as OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist), Clinical Electrical Physiology or
Geriatrics, for example, can command higher salaries. The website of the American Board of
Physical Therapy Specialties states that their mission is to advance the profession of physical
therapy by establishing, maintaining, and promoting standards of excellence for clinical
specialization, and by recognizing the advanced knowledge, skills and experience by physical
therapist practitioners through specialist credentialing.

An Adaptable Personality and Team Spirit allows you to play different critical roles within
the practice. The day-to-day operation of a clinic often requires therapists who are willing and
eager to take up the mantle of different roles. This contributes to the overall growth and
continued success of the practice. Employers look for and ultimately reward employees who,
when called upon, will go above and beyond. They look for therapists ready to help with
marketing of a cash-based program, calling former patients, visiting physicians to renew or
build referral relationships, etc.

Reasonable Comfort Level with Technology. Today, private practice owners want and hire
physical therapists (sometimes at a premium) because they are comfortable with EMR, email
marketing and social media. Such candidates contribute to the overall efficiency and
productivity of a clinic. Physical therapists must acquire and develop skill sets that extend
beyond the therapeutic arena. They should be able to quickly learn and adapt to the
requirements of the clinics EMR software or billing system. They should be able to schedule
patients and send text reminders/confirmations when needed.

Location and Work Environment According to this US News article which ranked physical
therapy as #12 in Best Health Care Jobs, The best-paid physical therapists live in the
metropolitan areas of Las Vegas; Laredo, Texas; and Brownsville, Texas. The highest paid
10% (in the nations top-paying state, Nevada) made $116,090, while the lowest 10% made
$56,800. Also, the highest annual salaries were paid to physical therapists working in schools,
home health care and nursing care facilities.

Standing within the Community How well known are you within the community? Physical
therapy salary is is directly proportional to a candidates standing as a physical therapist and
citizen, within the community that they serve. People tend to do business with people that they
know, like and trust. If a physical therapist is applying for a position and is well-known within
the community, through previous patient work or community service, the candidate is more
likely to get a higher physical therapy starting salary. The tangible asset of goodwill and
potential patients that come with the therapist is a bargaining chip when negotiating salary.

Gender. According to several surveys and studies performed by Advance Physical Therapy,
physical therapists are predominantly women. An interesting statistic from their physical
therapy salaries survey indicates that a significantly higher percentage of males rather than
females, earn $75,000. This data suggests that a financial bias exists within the industry that
pays male physical therapists higher wages than females.

Age. The typical age range for most physical therapists is from the mid-thirties to the midfifties. Experience over time yields higher compensation.

Management and Leadership Positions. Physical therapists who assume managerial roles
have more responsibilities. These include staff management, education and motivation,
productivity, as well as tracking and measuring profitability. These candidates are paid higher
wages that reflect their higher commitment to the success of the practice.

An Aging Population As the population ages, the demand for physical therapists will only
increase. There are currently 5.8 million aged 85 and older and it is projected to increase to 8.7
million in 2030. By 2030, more than one in three Americans will be over 50, one in five will be
over 65 and one in eight will be over the age of 75 by the year 2040.
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