This report from APTA uses data from APTA's 2025 Physical Therapy Profile Survey to provide a snapshot of incomes earned in the physical therapy profession. The report also examines the relationship between reported income and factors that may influence income, including geographic location, practice setting, age, gender, post-professional credentials, and work characteristics, such as the percentage of time spent in direct care and supervisory positions.
Among the highlights of the report's findings:
- Incomes have not kept pace with inflation since 2016.
- Obtaining post-professional credentials, such as APTA board certification, fellowships, and advanced degrees, is linked to higher earnings for physical therapists.
- PTs earn more in specific environments, with hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities providing the highest median incomes. Physical therapist assistants earn more in settings like hospitals and home care.
- Income generally increases with age, but the growth can slow down mid-career. A significant gender pay gap emerges, with women earning less than men starting around age 40, which may widen to about $16,000 by age 65 for physical therapists.
