An official website of Washington State government
Physical Therapists
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
What a physical therapist does
Become a physical therapist
If you enjoy doing these activities, you might make a good physical therapist
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Reading work related information.
- Looking for ways to help people.
- Understanding people's reactions.
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Discover what you could earn in Washington
- Average hourly rate is $59 per hour with an average salary of $101,100 per year.
- Half of workers earn between $45 and $66 per hour.
- Half of workers earn an annual salary between $30,700 and $102,800 per year.
- 61% of individuals in this occupation have been employed in every quarter of the past year.
Part-time
- The average hourly rate for part-time workers is $65 per hour with an average salary of $70,900 per year.
Physical Therapist job outlook
- There are 4,806 workers in this occupation in Washington.
- There are 843 openings per year in this occupation in Washington.
Multiple Jobs
- 11% of individuals in this occupation worked for more than one employer.
- 8% of individuals in this occupation held a position in another.
Growth rate by year
Education needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).Programs to get you there
See all programs›"I love being a physical therapist and seeing my patients be able to use muscles and joints again."