Where physical therapists work

BLS says physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, patients’ homes, and nursing homes, and that they spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patients.

Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.

Quoted from the Work Environment and Pay sections of the BLS Physical Therapists handbook page, checked November 10, 2026.

BLS states: “Physical therapists held about 283,700 jobs in 2025. Some of the largest employers of physical therapists were as follows:”

Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists — 36%
Hospitals; state, local, and private — 26%
Home healthcare services — 11%
Offices of physicians — 6%
Nursing and residential care facilities — 6%

Physical demands

BLS states: “Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, working with patients. Because they must often lift and move patients, they are vulnerable to back injuries. Physical therapists can limit these risks by using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques when assisting patients.”

Schedules

BLS states: “Most physical therapists work full time, although part time work is common. They usually work during normal business hours, but some work evenings or weekends.”

Median pay by work setting

From the Pay section of the same BLS page: “In May 2025, the median annual wages for physical therapists in some of the top industries in which they worked were as follows:”

Home healthcare services — $114,740
Nursing and residential care facilities — $110,460
Hospitals; state, local, and private — $106,800
Offices of physicians — $102,010
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists — $97,160

These are national medians by industry. BLS publishes state and area wages separately; this site does not copy those tables. All-industry median: $102,760 (see PT pay and outlook).

APTA’s Becoming a Physical Therapist page separately states: “Physical therapists practice in a wide range of settings, including but not limited to hospitals, outpatient clinics, people's homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities, workplaces, and nursing homes.”

These are national BLS figures. Rules about where and how you may practice come from the jurisdiction board, not from BLS. Confirm current figures on the official BLS page.

Where physical therapists work

Physical demands

Schedules

Median pay by work setting

Related pages