Becoming a Physical Therapist via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Utica College, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering physical therapy courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
physical therapists,
PTs,
exercise physiologists,
physical therapy assistants, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 174,490 people employed as
physical therapists alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$76,220.
Physical therapist assistants make on average $48,590
per year and there are about 63,750
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Utica College that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Physical Therapist
- In-Home Care Facilities
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation Clinics
- Sports Medicine Facilities
- Nursing Homes
- Orthopedic Clinics
- Universities
- Geriatric units
- Acute Care Clinics
- Physician's Offices
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Physical Therapist
- Opportunity to advance
- Flexible hours
- Well-paid profession
- The option to work from home
- Create individual and specific programs for patients
- Substantial amount of schooling required
- Diverse medical knowledge
- Ability to move to different professions relatively simply
- Gained knowledge of human behavior and performance
- Actively aiding people on a constant basis
Potential Drawbacks
- Long hours are required at times
- Demanding patients or family members
- Constant need to be aware of human reaction
- Requires a certain amount of empathy and patience
- Need to be constantly organized
- Determine a diagnosis that guides future patient/client management
- Being aware of and applying new and preferable systems
- Clinical internships required prior to graduation
- Confronting new challenges or relapses in patients
- Requires a certain dedication to process
Related Professions to Consider
- Behavioral Therapist
- Physical Rehabilitation Therapist
- Regional Physical Therapist
- Respiratory Therapists
- Athletic Trainers
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Registered Massage Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Clinical Occupational Therapist
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Physical Therapist
- When is a time you had a lot on your plate and how did you handle it?
- What have you learned from your clinical experience?
- Where did you see yourself in 5 years?
- What is something people tell you that you need to work on?
- What qualities do you see in yourself that relate to you as a professional?
- What is your definition of a professional?
- What is the most difficult decision you've had to make and how did you arrive at your decision?
- When is a time that you had to overcome a challenge?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- When did you have to do something that you did not agree with?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Therapist
- Counselor
- Doctor
- Nurse
- Trainer
- Sports Therapist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Surgeon
- Doctor
- Nurse
Physical Therapist Training books
Physical Therapist (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Client Assessment and Supervision
- Foundations in Gerontology
- Neurophysiological Therapeutics
- Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Principles of Human Movement
- Professional Standards and Ethics
- Statistical Methods
- Health Science
- Physical Education
Physical Therapist Salary Information
Category: Physical therapists
| Total # Employed in the US |
174,490 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$36.64/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $25.08 |
$29.94 |
$35.81 |
$42.28 |
$50.92 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$76,220 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $52,170 |
$62,270 |
$74,480 |
$87,940 |
$105,900 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.3% |
1.8% |
1.5% |
7.1% |
41.7% |
33.4% |
14.3% |
|
Physical therapists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alaska |
$42.02/hr
|
$87,410
|
| Mississippi |
$41.44/hr
|
$86,190
|
| New York |
$41.04/hr
|
$85,360
|
| North Dakota |
$40.28/hr
|
$83,780
|
| Colorado |
$40.26/hr
|
$83,740
|
| Florida |
$40.05/hr
|
$83,300
|
| Wyoming |
$39.91/hr
|
$83,020
|
| District of Columbia |
$39.64/hr
|
$82,450
|
| Kansas |
$38.46/hr
|
$80,000
|
| Hawaii |
$38.3/hr
|
$79,670
|
| Virginia |
$38.23/hr
|
$79,520
|
| Delaware |
$38.1/hr
|
$79,250
|
| Massachusetts |
$37.46/hr
|
$77,910
|
| Idaho |
$36.79/hr
|
$76,530
|
| Wisconsin |
$36.67/hr
|
$76,270
|
| Alabama |
$36.67/hr
|
$76,260
|
| Maryland |
$36.34/hr
|
$75,590
|
| South Carolina |
$36.22/hr
|
$75,340
|
| Oklahoma |
$36.02/hr
|
$74,920
|
| Utah |
$35.88/hr
|
$74,630
|
| Oregon |
$35.79/hr
|
$74,450
|
| California |
$35.73/hr
|
$74,310
|
| Montana |
$35.73/hr
|
$74,310
|
| Missouri |
$35.25/hr
|
$73,320
|
| Nevada |
$35.17/hr
|
$73,160
|
| Tennessee |
$35.04/hr
|
$72,880
|
| Arkansas |
$34.88/hr
|
$72,550
|
| Washington |
$34.85/hr
|
$72,490
|
| Maine |
$34.8/hr
|
$72,380
|
| Iowa |
$34.03/hr
|
$70,780
|
| North Carolina |
$33.83/hr
|
$70,370
|
| Louisiana |
$33.7/hr
|
$70,100
|
| Michigan |
$33.66/hr
|
$70,020
|
| Connecticut |
$33.55/hr
|
$69,780
|
| Nebraska |
$33.54/hr
|
$69,760
|
| South Dakota |
$33.48/hr
|
$69,630
|
| Kentucky |
$33.34/hr
|
$69,340
|
| New Mexico |
$33.11/hr
|
$68,870
|
| Guam |
$32.47/hr
|
$67,540
|
| Ohio |
$32.31/hr
|
$67,210
|
| West Virginia |
$31.97/hr
|
$66,490
|
| Puerto Rico |
$31.44/hr
|
$65,390
|
| New Hampshire |
$31.28/hr
|
$65,060
|
| Pennsylvania |
$31.13/hr
|
$64,750
|
| New Jersey |
$30.96/hr
|
$64,400
|
| Indiana |
$27.4/hr
|
$56,990
|
Category: Physical therapist assistants
| Total # Employed in the US |
63,750 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$23.36/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $14.62 |
$18.78 |
$23.22 |
$27.78 |
$31.95 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$48,590 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $30,400 |
$39,070 |
$48,290 |
$57,780 |
$66,460 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.6% |
10.6% |
15.9% |
50.5% |
16.1% |
3.1% |
1.1% |
|
Physical therapist assistants — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Wyoming |
$29.67/hr
|
$61,710
|
| Colorado |
$27.32/hr
|
$56,820
|
| New York |
$26.98/hr
|
$56,120
|
| Delaware |
$26.51/hr
|
$55,150
|
| District of Columbia |
$25.52/hr
|
$53,080
|
| Hawaii |
$25.52/hr
|
$53,080
|
| North Dakota |
$24.9/hr
|
$51,790
|
| Oregon |
$24.69/hr
|
$51,360
|
| South Carolina |
$24.61/hr
|
$51,180
|
| Wisconsin |
$24.59/hr
|
$51,150
|
| Kentucky |
$24.57/hr
|
$51,100
|
| Iowa |
$24.27/hr
|
$50,480
|
| Missouri |
$24.23/hr
|
$50,390
|
| Washington |
$23.68/hr
|
$49,260
|
| Virginia |
$23.53/hr
|
$48,940
|
| Kansas |
$23.41/hr
|
$48,690
|
| Idaho |
$23.4/hr
|
$48,680
|
| Tennessee |
$23.13/hr
|
$48,110
|
| Maine |
$22.85/hr
|
$47,520
|
| Maryland |
$22.74/hr
|
$47,300
|
| Mississippi |
$22.59/hr
|
$47,000
|
| California |
$22.26/hr
|
$46,300
|
| North Carolina |
$22.16/hr
|
$46,100
|
| New Hampshire |
$22.13/hr
|
$46,040
|
| Puerto Rico |
$21.58/hr
|
$44,880
|
| Alabama |
$21.53/hr
|
$44,790
|
| Oklahoma |
$21.5/hr
|
$44,730
|
| Arkansas |
$21.02/hr
|
$43,720
|
| New Mexico |
$20.92/hr
|
$43,500
|
| South Dakota |
$20.74/hr
|
$43,130
|
| Nebraska |
$20.68/hr
|
$43,020
|
| Michigan |
$20.35/hr
|
$42,320
|
| Massachusetts |
$20.22/hr
|
$42,050
|
| Utah |
$20.21/hr
|
$42,040
|
| Ohio |
$19.96/hr
|
$41,510
|
| Montana |
$19.59/hr
|
$40,740
|
| Connecticut |
$19.35/hr
|
$40,240
|
| Nevada |
$19.2/hr
|
$39,940
|
| New Jersey |
$18.65/hr
|
$38,790
|
| Louisiana |
$18.58/hr
|
$38,640
|
| Pennsylvania |
$18.13/hr
|
$37,710
|
| Indiana |
$17.99/hr
|
$37,430
|
| West Virginia |
$15.83/hr
|
$32,920
|
| Guam |
$15.67/hr
|
$32,590
|
Category: Physical therapist aides
| Total # Employed in the US |
44,160 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$12.01/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $8.33 |
$9.66 |
$11.49 |
$13.89 |
$16.39 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$24,990 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $17,330 |
$20,090 |
$23,890 |
$28,880 |
$34,100 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.6% |
10.6% |
15.9% |
50.5% |
16.1% |
3.1% |
1.1% |
|
Physical therapist aides — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Puerto Rico |
$15.49/hr
|
$32,220
|
| Indiana |
$15.05/hr
|
$31,310
|
| Missouri |
$14.29/hr
|
$29,730
|
| North Carolina |
$14.19/hr
|
$29,520
|
| Connecticut |
$13.49/hr
|
$28,070
|
| Delaware |
$13.34/hr
|
$27,750
|
| Florida |
$13.33/hr
|
$27,720
|
| Colorado |
$13.19/hr
|
$27,430
|
| Oklahoma |
$13.11/hr
|
$27,270
|
| Virginia |
$12.83/hr
|
$26,700
|
| Montana |
$12.74/hr
|
$26,500
|
| Utah |
$12.71/hr
|
$26,430
|
| Ohio |
$12.63/hr
|
$26,260
|
| Nebraska |
$12.47/hr
|
$25,940
|
| Mississippi |
$12.4/hr
|
$25,790
|
| North Dakota |
$12.39/hr
|
$25,770
|
| District of Columbia |
$12.34/hr
|
$25,660
|
| Louisiana |
$12.33/hr
|
$25,660
|
| Kansas |
$12.16/hr
|
$25,280
|
| Michigan |
$12.06/hr
|
$25,080
|
| Kentucky |
$12.06/hr
|
$25,080
|
| Tennessee |
$12.06/hr
|
$25,090
|
| Arkansas |
$12/hr
|
$24,950
|
| Pennsylvania |
$11.86/hr
|
$24,670
|
| New York |
$11.81/hr
|
$24,550
|
| South Carolina |
$11.69/hr
|
$24,320
|
| Oregon |
$11.68/hr
|
$24,300
|
| New Jersey |
$11.58/hr
|
$24,090
|
| Hawaii |
$11.34/hr
|
$23,580
|
| West Virginia |
$11.33/hr
|
$23,560
|
| New Hampshire |
$11.31/hr
|
$23,520
|
| Maine |
$11.29/hr
|
$23,490
|
| Idaho |
$11.24/hr
|
$23,370
|
| Maryland |
$11.02/hr
|
$22,920
|
| Iowa |
$11.01/hr
|
$22,900
|
| Wisconsin |
$10.89/hr
|
$22,660
|
| Washington |
$10.79/hr
|
$22,450
|
| Alabama |
$10.75/hr
|
$22,360
|
| Massachusetts |
$10.71/hr
|
$22,270
|
| Wyoming |
$10.66/hr
|
$22,180
|
| New Mexico |
$10.58/hr
|
$22,020
|
| South Dakota |
$10.47/hr
|
$21,790
|
| Nevada |
$10.18/hr
|
$21,180
|
| Guam |
$10.01/hr
|
$20,810
|
| California |
$9.73/hr
|
$20,240
|
