I think it is misleading to make people think that 45 an hour is what PTs get paid. I work in NJ which is one of the highest paying areas for PTs according to the US bureau of labor stats. It is true there are jobs that pay 45 an hour and you do make 75 a visit for home care, however you usually sacrifice other job benefits for higher pay. My salary comes out to be about 34 an hour, however I have great benefits including free health insurance, pension plan, etc. Also, setting plays a hug role. Nursing home and SNF tend to pay a little more because they are usually considered a less desirable place to work. Prior to my current job I worked at a major teaching hospital in Phila. where I was paid about thirty an hour and I currently make 55-62 working per diem. My point is PT pay can really vary depending on setting, location, etc. However, I think it is more reasonable to expect somewhere in the low thirties when you are just starting out in the field and obviously more with experience.
Holly White
of NJ
@
Nov 10, 2009 21:22:51 PM
PT perspective
PTs are increasingly specializing in areas of interest. Specialists test take over a year to study for and over 2 years of experience in order to qualify for the test. Average income varies greatly by region. 45 dollars an hour is totally ridiculous to expect anywhere in Colorado and many other states.
hs
of CO
@
Nov 04, 2009 23:33:19 PM
RE: education
It typically takes 7 years to become a physical therapist: 4 years of undergraduate schooling, 3 years of graduate schooling. There are some accelerated programs in which you can graduate in 6 years (3+3).
RB
of OH
@
Nov 03, 2009 22:29:53 PM
education
How many years of college does it usually take to become a physical therapist?
Spencer
of ID
@
Nov 01, 2009 23:27:57 PM
earnings
another comment I have is that the median salary above may be true but you can easily make 90k (you should demand at least 45 dollars an hour) in any setting; home health is the best because you get paid 75 dollars a visit, 45 cents a mile and can do easily 7 to 9 visits per day. you do the math.
jg
of AZ
@
Oct 30, 2009 23:43:55 PM
Applying AFTER 25
i GRADUATED AT 38 AFTER CHANGING PROFESSIONS. i HAVE BEEN A PT FOR 12 YEARS NOW AND MADE 160K THIS YEAR IN HOME HEALTH, SAVED 100K. I CAN EASILY CONTINUE WORKING 10 OR MORE YEARS.
JG
JULIAN
of AZ
@
Oct 30, 2009 23:40:11 PM
Todd
@ Todd of PA
Your age should not be a deterrent unless you have a problem working with/for a supervisor who may be younger than you. If you are healthy and qualified for this profession... go for it. Demographics are on our side and finding employment will not be any trouble, at least not because of your age. I hired Physical Therapists in their 5oies and would do it again.
Peter
of NJ
@
Oct 30, 2009 16:35:44 PM
Applying
Has anyone applied to PT school after the age of 25? I am debating going to physician assistant school just because i know that older (25 and up) can usually gain acceptance there. I really want to be a PT, but I feel like I am getting to old for a DPT program if I graduate at 28 or 29. Any advice?
Todd
of PA
@
Oct 29, 2009 17:48:16 PM
to Jimmy of MT
absolutely not. physical therapy and physical education are very different fields. to teach PE, you need an education degree (on the bachelor level). if you got a PT degree (which will require a 3-year doctorate in all states by 2020 according to the www.apta.org website), you will be WAY over-qualified for PE (but still won't have the required education classes) and the pay scales are very different. pick one or the other, but don't think they are interchangeable. they are definitely NOT.
Julie
of GA
@
Oct 19, 2009 11:26:53 AM
Can I teach Phys. Ed if I take a PT major?
can anyone tell me if I can be a Physical Education teacher if I choose PT as a major? In other words, will I have taken the correct classes to still become a gym teacher if I change my mind about PT?
Holly White of NJ @ Nov 10, 2009 21:22:51 PM
hs of CO @ Nov 04, 2009 23:33:19 PM
RB of OH @ Nov 03, 2009 22:29:53 PM
Spencer of ID @ Nov 01, 2009 23:27:57 PM
jg of AZ @ Oct 30, 2009 23:43:55 PM
JULIAN of AZ @ Oct 30, 2009 23:40:11 PM
Peter of NJ @ Oct 30, 2009 16:35:44 PM
Todd of PA @ Oct 29, 2009 17:48:16 PM
Julie of GA @ Oct 19, 2009 11:26:53 AM
Jimmy of MT @ Oct 18, 2009 19:45:56 PM
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