Does physical therapy have a bright outlook for a career?
I have always wanted to help people. My mom is an RN so I am aware of some nursing background. I am really interested in being a PT but I am curious to know if the career has a bright outlook? #college #professor #physical-therapist
1 answer
Brendon’s Answer
Yes. Demand is expected to grow around 34% for Physical Therapists and 40% for PTAs according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You can learn more about the career by clicking the tabs along the top of the page. I'll also include a link explaining what physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are, what they do, and their expected career growth. (I chose to be a PTA due to the shorter schooling, much cheaper cost of tuition, and less stressful workday.) You can also learn about being a PT Aide, which is a position that does not require any college experience and usually received on the job training. If you're serious about exploring physical therapy as a career, it could be a great opportunity to help pay college tuition.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-6
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-6
http://www.apta.org/PTACareers/RoleofaPTA/
P.S. There is one projection of supply and demand created in 2015 that shows three possible outcomes by 2025 of physical therapist data. These predictions range from a shortage of 26,000 PTs nationally to a surplus of almost 9,000. (The overall number of PTs will be near 250,000 in the USA.) A shortage would mean dramatic increases in salaries why a surplus would mean a stagnation of raises, etc.
Here's that resource: http://www.apta.org/WorkforceData/ModelDescriptionFigures/
Best of luck!