Physical therapists help people recover from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions. The work is hands-on, deeply relational, and consistently ranked among the most satisfying healthcare careers.
The Path to PT
Physical therapy requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree — a 3-year graduate program following a 4-year undergraduate degree. Total: 7 years post-high school.
Undergraduate (4 years): Major in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or Biology. Maintain a strong GPA — DPT programs are competitive, with average accepted GPA around 3.5. Prerequisites include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, and Statistics.
DPT Program (3 years): Combines classroom instruction with clinical rotations across multiple settings — outpatient orthopedics, hospitals, pediatrics, sports medicine. After graduation, pass the NPTE licensing exam.
What to Do in High School
- Take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Volunteer or shadow a physical therapist — call your local outpatient PT clinic
- Stay active — understanding movement from personal experience helps
- Look into PT aide positions — available in some states for high school students
Salary
Median annual wage: $97,720. Entry-level PTs earn $70,000-$80,000. PT assistants (PTAs) complete a 2-year associate degree and earn a median of $63,000 — a faster path into the field.