Physical Therapists Description OES Code: 323080 Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and decrease or prevent deformity of patients suffering from disease or injury. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $20.14 minimum – $31.16 New, experienced: $23.00 $7.89 – $35.00 3 yrs+ experience: $25.90 $13.42 – $40.00 Salaries for Physical Therapists vary according to location, experience, and size of hospital or employing agency and are largely dependent upon the worker's length of experience. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits The normal work week is 40 hours and may also include weekend appointments. Part-time work is also usually available. Most employers provide fringe benefits such as paid vacations, sick leave, hospital and group insurance, and retirement programs. Employment Trends Employment 1996 10,900 Projected Employment 2006 17,750 Growth Rate 1996-2006 62.8% Openings due to Separations 1,560 Employment Trends by California County Physical Therapists rank among the top fifty fastest growth occupations in California. Most job openings during this period are expected to occur from the increasing need for rehabilitation and long-term care. The demand for these services should increase due to population growth and increasing age, general widespread interest in health, the growth of sports medicine, and as more people exercise and require physical therapy for injuries. Many new positions for Physical Therapists will be created as programs to aid disabled persons expand, and as nursing homes and other long-term care facilities attempt to provide residents with more adequate therapy and rehabilitation services. Increasing care for a growing aging population, whose numbers will rise sharply by 2006, will create further demand for Physical Therapists. Also, many positions for Physical Therapists will result from scientific and technical advances in medicine, which will permit more disabling conditions to be treated. Advancement Promotional avenues in the private sector are basically unstructured and advancement in government service requires success on promotional examinations. In both private and public sectors, experience and ability are the keys to advancement. An advanced degree in physical therapy is sometimes a prerequisite for appointment to supervisory, administrative, teaching, or research positions. Some therapists set up a private practice and accept patients referred by local physicians. Getting the Job & Other Information Physical Therapists find jobs through school placement offices, leads in medical journals, and through professional associations. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Physical Therapists in California are licensed by the Physical Therapy Examining Committee. They must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, a bachelor's degree, and graduation from a school of physical therapy approved by the American Medical Association. They must pass a written examination administered by the committee. The first time application fee, which includes the fingerprint and processing fee is $116. The Physical Therapist exam fee is $235. After passing the exam, the licensing fee is $80. Licenses must be renewed every two years. Nine California schools offer degrees or certificate programs in physical therapy. Certificates are awarded to students with a bachelor's degree in a related field and who have completed a 12 to 16 month course in physical therapy. The usual curriculum includes courses in neuroanatomy, physiology, biomechanics of motion, human growth and development, and manifestations of disease and trauma. In addition to classroom instruction, student therapists receive supervised clinical experience as interns in hospitals and treatment centers for an average of 18 weeks. High school students interested in a career in physical therapy should study biological and physical sciences, as well as, mathematics, health, and physical education. Volunteer work in a hospital or summer counseling at a camp for handicapped children can provide helpful experience. Skills & Other Requirements Therapists must have a sincere interest in people and their welfare. The job requires patience, tact, resourcefulness and emotional stability to help patients and their families understand treatments and adjust to handicaps. Good verbal and written communication skills are also considered to be highly essential. While therapists usually work a 40 hour week, their schedules may include some evenings and weekends. The job can be physically exhausting. In addition to standing for long periods of time, therapists must move equipment and help patients turn, stand or walk. Although lifting of patients is required, therapists are trained to lift so that coordination and stamina rather than physical strength are needed. The work of Physical Therapists can also be emotionally demanding and frustrating when little improvement in patients can be observed. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Physical Therapists #117 Related Occupation: Occupational Therapists #143, Physical Therapy Aides & Assistants #451, Respiratory Therapists #454 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.