Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy: Career Outlook

Demand for experts in this field is increasing alongside the nation's aging population, with 28 percent growth projected by 2026.¹ As baby boomers stay active later in life, they need support from physical therapists for mobility-related injuries as well as the side effects of heart attacks, diabetes, and strokes.

In addition, advances in medical technology are helping trauma survivors and newborns with birth defects thrive while increasing the need for rehabilitative care. As a physical therapist, you'll play a crucial role in helping people of all ages heal and live better lives.

As a doctor of physical therapy, you could earn up to $120,000 per year and qualify for 307,000 new job opportunities by 2026.¹ Stay competitive in this bustling field and prepare for top-earning roles in specialized disciplines:

• Demonstrate the ability to locate and critically analyze literature to develop hypotheses to guide clinical decisions for patient/clients

• Use technology to address clinical questions and understand the efficacy of practice

• Integrate cultural competence into professional behavior and clinical encounters with all clients

• Appraise levels of sensitivity and specificity of evidence to make clinical judgments

• Integrate research evidence, patient values and preferences, ethics, and clinical experience to examine patients or clients across their lifespan

• Display adherence to physical therapy core values and professional standards