What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Physical Therapists in the U.S. earn more than $102,760 a year — the middle 80% land between $77,140 and $135,140. About 267,330 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Physical Therapists”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$102,760typical pay / year
267,330people in this work
$135,140+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Learning2
Promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education
+Deliver a one-page educational sheet and a ten-minute teach-back script for Marissa Alvarez explaining…
Promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education
+Deliver a one-page educational sheet and a ten-minute teach-back script for Marissa Alvarez explaining stress-management strategies, relapse prevention signs, and when to call the clinic, then upload both to the patient record and flag for follow-up next week.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOO*NETWikipedia
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Educate patients and families about recovery
+Prepare a family meeting note and a five-point recovery checklist for James Patel’s wife and sister that…
Educate patients and families about recovery
+Prepare a family meeting note and a five-point recovery checklist for James Patel’s wife and sister that covers expected recovery milestones, medication effects, and home safety steps, print two copies for the visit on Thursday, and place one in the chart.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Fixing1
Administer physical therapy treatments and modalities
+Assemble a 30-minute in-clinic treatment plan for Olivia Chen that sequences graded exercise, breathing…
Administer physical therapy treatments and modalities
+Assemble a 30-minute in-clinic treatment plan for Olivia Chen that sequences graded exercise, breathing retraining, and exposure tasks with parameters and contraindications, document the plan in the treatment note, and schedule three supervised sessions this month.
The tools that do the workExercise routine creationClinicient Insightjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Analysing1
Diagnose movement disorders and injuries
+Conduct a focused movement assessment for Raul Gomez to identify gait asymmetry and ROM deficits, record…
Diagnose movement disorders and injuries
+Conduct a focused movement assessment for Raul Gomez to identify gait asymmetry and ROM deficits, record differential diagnoses with supporting exam findings and order a biomechanical referral if weakness or red flags appear by Monday.
The tools that do the workClinicient Insightjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Keeping the record2
Collaborate with healthcare team members
+Write a concise interdisciplinary update for Dr. Simmons, the RN case manager, and occupational therapist…
Collaborate with healthcare team members
+Write a concise interdisciplinary update for Dr. Simmons, the RN case manager, and occupational therapist summarizing Maria Lopez’s progress, current barriers to discharge, recommended adjustments to the home program, and ask for a care conference Wednesday at 11am.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Record and report patient progress
+Complete a progress note for Daniel Murphy documenting cognitive restructuring exercises used, measured…
Record and report patient progress
+Complete a progress note for Daniel Murphy documenting cognitive restructuring exercises used, measured changes in avoidance behavior, functional gains this week, and set next-session goals; save to the chart and send the summary to his primary clinician.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work21
Perform clinical assessments and observations
+Conduct a 60-minute clinical assessment for Rosa Martinez today at 2pm, observe posture, thought patterns,…
Perform clinical assessments and observations
+Conduct a 60-minute clinical assessment for Rosa Martinez today at 2pm, observe posture, thought patterns, activity level and avoidance behaviour, score PHQ-9 and GAD-7, write formulation and immediate safety plan, flag any staffing needs.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRjob descriptionsO*NET
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Review patients' medical histories and referrals
+Review Daniel Kim's referral packet and past medical records now, note comorbidities, medication changes,…
Review patients' medical histories and referrals
+Review Daniel Kim's referral packet and past medical records now, note comorbidities, medication changes, prior CBT trials and relevant physiotherapy notes, summarise red flags and recommended assessment priorities for the intake.
The tools that do the workMEDITECHjob descriptionsO*NET
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Discharge or transfer patients as appropriate
+Prepare discharge plan for Aisha Patel if she meets goals at Thursday's MDT meeting: confirm goals met, list…
Discharge or transfer patients as appropriate
+Prepare discharge plan for Aisha Patel if she meets goals at Thursday's MDT meeting: confirm goals met, list community resources, schedule follow-up with primary clinician in two weeks, and create transfer summary for receiving provider.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Conduct research related to physical therapy practices
+Collect outcome data and recent literature on graded activity for chronic low back pain, extract effect sizes…
Conduct research related to physical therapy practices
+Collect outcome data and recent literature on graded activity for chronic low back pain, extract effect sizes and protocols from three trials, draft a one-page evidence summary with clinical implications for the team by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NETWikipedia
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Design individualized therapy programs
+Design a four-week individualized CBT-exposure plan for Miguel Torres addressing pain catastrophising and…
Design individualized therapy programs
+Design a four-week individualized CBT-exposure plan for Miguel Torres addressing pain catastrophising and activity avoidance, include session goals, homework tasks, pacing schedule and outcomes to measure at baseline and week four.
The tools that do the workExercise routine creationjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
+Evaluate Emma Liu's progress at week six: compare baseline and current scores, observe engagement and…
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
+Evaluate Emma Liu's progress at week six: compare baseline and current scores, observe engagement and barriers, adjust cognitive and behavioural targets to increase activity by 15 percent and document rationale.
The tools that do the workClinicient InsightO*NET
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Relieve pain
+Assess the current pain pattern with the client, teach two brief CBT pain-management strategies they can use…
Relieve pain
+Assess the current pain pattern with the client, teach two brief CBT pain-management strategies they can use immediately, co-design a simple daily practice plan with measurable goals for the week, and note red flags that require medical review.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Empower patients and their carers to manage the condition outside clinical settings
+Run a collaborative session with the patient and their carer to map triggers and coping responses, teach…
Empower patients and their carers to manage the condition outside clinical settings
+Run a collaborative session with the patient and their carer to map triggers and coping responses, teach pacing and thought-reframing exercises, produce a one-page home-management sheet with stepwise tasks and when to seek help, and schedule a follow-up.
The tools that do the workExercise routine creationMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
+Obtain written informed consent from Maria Gonzalez for the proposed cognitive restructuring and exposure…
Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
+Obtain written informed consent from Maria Gonzalez for the proposed cognitive restructuring and exposure exercises today, explain risks and alternatives in plain language, answer her questions, confirm understanding, and upload the signed consent form to the chart before leaving clinic.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRO*NET
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Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
+Assess Jacob Lee's grip strength, timed sit-to-stand, lower-limb coordination, sensation to light touch, and…
Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
+Assess Jacob Lee's grip strength, timed sit-to-stand, lower-limb coordination, sensation to light touch, and perceived exertion today, record numeric values and observations in the progress note, and flag any scores below expected norms for team review.
The tools that do the workClinicient InsightO*NET
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Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.
+Review this week's caseload with the assistant therapists, assign each patient's home exercise reinforcement…
Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.
+Review this week's caseload with the assistant therapists, assign each patient's home exercise reinforcement and observation tasks, note supervision times and competency concerns in the staff log, and send corrective guidance to Priya by end of day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
+Write measurable short and long term goals for Ahmed Khan's treatment plan, state expected timeline and…
Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
+Write measurable short and long term goals for Ahmed Khan's treatment plan, state expected timeline and criteria for progress, schedule a reassessment in four weeks, and save the plan to his active treatment record.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRO*NET
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Refer clients to community resources or services.
+Provide Sara Patel with a tailored list of local community resources for anxiety support, peer groups,…
Refer clients to community resources or services.
+Provide Sara Patel with a tailored list of local community resources for anxiety support, peer groups, sliding-scale counseling, and crisis lines; explain how each service helps her goals, offer to make the referral today, and document her choices in the file.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordeClinicalWorks EHRO*NET
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Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.
+Evaluate the fit of Mr. Alvarez's ankle brace, make the adjustments needed for pressure relief and alignment,…
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.
+Evaluate the fit of Mr. Alvarez's ankle brace, make the adjustments needed for pressure relief and alignment, note materials and repairs performed, teach him donning technique, and record the device status in his treatment note.
The tools that do the workHands On Technology TheraWriter.PTO*NET
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Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.
+Review recent trial data, extract effect sizes and study limitations relevant to cognitive restructuring for…
Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.
+Review recent trial data, extract effect sizes and study limitations relevant to cognitive restructuring for adult anxiety, summarise implications for our treatment manual, and draft a one‑page evidence update to discuss at Monday supervision.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy.
+Draft a short policy brief for the local mental health coalition arguing for routine CBT access in community…
Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy.
+Draft a short policy brief for the local mental health coalition arguing for routine CBT access in community clinics, cite three local prevalence studies and two outcome trials, and email the brief to Sara at Public Health and to Director Miguel before Thursday's policy meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Direct group rehabilitation activities.
+Design this term's group CBT schedule: list session topics, measurable objectives, admission criteria, and…
Direct group rehabilitation activities.
+Design this term's group CBT schedule: list session topics, measurable objectives, admission criteria, and staff roles, then prepare the leader's guide and a one‑page participant handout for next Tuesday's program start.
The tools that do the workExercise routine creationMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Prevent diseases through health promotion activities
+Plan a four‑week health promotion series targeting smoking cessation and stress reduction: outline weekly…
Prevent diseases through health promotion activities
+Plan a four‑week health promotion series targeting smoking cessation and stress reduction: outline weekly workshop content, measurable outcomes, referral pathways, and promotional blurb for the clinic newsletter by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Manage wound care as part of treatment when applicable
+For clients with minor wound concerns, create a treatment note template that documents wound assessment,…
Manage wound care as part of treatment when applicable
+For clients with minor wound concerns, create a treatment note template that documents wound assessment, pain, behavioural pain management strategies taught, and follow‑up plan, then add it to the patient record template before end of day Friday.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Develop, maintain or restore motor function and movement
+Develop a four‑week motor function restoration plan for a client with post‑stroke apraxia: specify daily home…
Develop, maintain or restore motor function and movement
+Develop a four‑week motor function restoration plan for a client with post‑stroke apraxia: specify daily home practice tasks, graded goals, safety checks, and progress metrics, then print a patient copy for tomorrow's session.
The tools that do the workExercise routine creationMicrosoft WordESCO
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Exercise routine creation
+Write an exercise routine creation for client James Patel focusing on cognitive-behavioral paced breathing,…
Exercise routine creation
+Write an exercise routine creation for client James Patel focusing on cognitive-behavioral paced breathing, graded exposure walks, and daily activity logs, specify goals and homework, then upload to his therapy record before tomorrow's session.
The tools that do the workExercise routine creationO*NET
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses