Why Physical Therapy as a Career

Do you want to pursue a career where you can help people? If so, physical therapy might be right for you. Physical therapists help patients regain movement, recover from injuries and surgeries and prevent future injuries. Learn why physical therapy is important. Here are 3 reasons why you should choose physical therapy as a career:

Fast-Growing:

Physical therapy is a high-demand career which has potential for growth in the upcoming years. Both careers as a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant have a positive outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an additional 47,000 physical therapist jobs will be added from 2019 to 2029. This is an 18% growth rate which is much faster than average. The U.S. News and World Report ranked physical therapist assistant as #3 in the “Best Healthcare Support Jobs” and #26 in the “100 Best Jobs.“ As per the report, the unemployment rate for this career path is 1.3%. The clinicians of Cornerstone Rehab specialize working with the geriatric population in skilled nursing facilities. As the boomer population ages, many will require care in long-term care settings. There will be an ongoing need for physical therapists in skilled nursing facilities.

Rewarding:

Being a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant can be a rewarding experience. Clinicians will say helping others to recover and become independent can be fulfilling achievement in its own. Being able to help those who can’t help themselves can be a great feeling. As adults age and lose their ability to move, they can become prone to feeling more isolated and depressed. Helping them regain movement can also help their emotional and psychological well-being. The impact could be more substantial than just a physical one.

Great Pay:

Once you find a career that you feel passionate about, the next question is how much can you make. Are you able to live comfortably? According to Salary.com, the average physical therapist salary in the United States is $88,886 with a range of $81,877 and $96,444 as of November 2020. According to the U.S. News and World Report, the median salary for physical therapist assistants is $58,040. Having a great salary is an advantage when the career aligns with your interests. This allows for a better work/life balance also.

If this is the right career for you, learn how you can join the skilled team of clinicians at Cornerstone Rehab.