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Career Opportunities

PT students stretching

Career Opportunities for Physical Therapist (PTs)

As the demand for Physical Therapists (PTs) continues to grow, PTs remain critical practitioners in health care due to their ability to help both patients and clients improve physical performance and recovery through skilled hands-on interaction. Graduates of our PT doctoral program generally work in various preventative and rehabilitative areas in health care and other occupations.

PT graduates will find that a career in physical therapy is rewarding and stable:

  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of PT jobs will increase 14% percent by 2033.
  • According to BLS in 2023, Physical Therapists earned a median wage of $99,710.00 per year or $47.94 per hour.

About the Physical Therapy Profession

About the Physical Therapy Profession

Physical Therapists are referred to as PTs. PTs are trained to assist injured and ill patients in rehabilitation and treatment. The goal of PTs in health care is to develop a recovery and treatment plan to help patients make progress in their physical recovery.

PTs perform various assessments that serve to evaluate and diagnose each patient's personal condition. After evaluation, PTs use several methods such as exercises, stretching, therapy and equipment to improve patient's condition whether it is related to pain, injury, illness and/or dysfunctional movement.

  • PTs must pass a National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
  • PTs are required by all states to have a license and are also required to update their license by completing continuing education credits periodically while in practice.

WSU PT Job Announcement Listserv Subscription (For Students and Employers)

WSU PT Job Announcement Listserv Subscription (For Students and Employers)

Provided by the Department of Physical Therapy, the purpose of this listserv is to email job announcements to students, graduates and alumni interested in employment opportunities.

Wichita State University Department of Physical Therapy Job Listserv

Professional Organizations and Job Search Databases

Professional Organizations and

Job Search Databases

There are a number of online resources available to assist in the search for employment after graduation. Below is a list of useful websites to get started. This list also provides students information about groups and organizations related to the physical therapy practice, community and profession.

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) | Find Jobs
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 80,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.

Kansas Physical Therapy Association (KPTA) | Find Jobs
The Kansas Physical Therapy Association (KPTA) is a non-profit professional association representing PTs and PT assistants who are licensed to practice in Kansas, as well as Kansas PT students and PT assistant students. KPTA’s membership consists of approximately 1,000 therapists and therapy students in Kansas. KPTA is a chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
The FSBPT develops and administers the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). All 50 states and three additional jurisdictions use the NPTE as one factor in the licensure or certification of PTs.

 

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