Good news came recently for those currently in the physical therapy field or are preparing to be.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, the employment of physical therapists is expected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is considerably more robust than the average for all occupations, Forbes reported in early April.
A closer look at physical therapist data based on the mean annual salary earned in each state bodes well for PTs in California. As of 2018, the average annual wage of physical therapists nationally is $88,880. Bureau of Labor Statistics state wage data lists California as No. 5, with PTs earning an average of $97,110. Ahead of the Golden State in the top five are Nevada (No. 1, $107,920), Alaska (2, $99,180), New Jersey (3, $97,770), and New Mexico (4, $97, 210).
The five states where physical therapists earn the least money on average are Vermont ($75,010), South Dakota ($76,200), Maine ($76,910), Idaho ($77,700), and North Dakota ($78,120).
The Physical Therapy Board of California licensed more than 1,100 new physical therapists from July to December, 2018, and more than 260 physical therapist assistants during the same time period.
More information about a career in physical therapy, including what it takes to become licensed in California, is available at the Board’s website.
