Appendix B: Examples of Health Professions

Physical Therapist

In 2000 about two-thirds of practicing physical therapists were employed by hospitals and specialized therapy offices. Others worked in physicians' offices, nursing homes, schools, or rehabilitation centers. Increasingly, physical therapists are choosing private practice and may contract their services to rehabilitative health centers or individual patients. Advanced physical therapists may engage in research in the field or teach at academic institutions. A 40-hour workweek with some evening or weekend hours is standard for most physical therapists.

Employment in the field of physical therapy requires training accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. Physical therapists must also be licensed by the State in which they choose to practice. In 2001, there were 199 bachelor's degree programs and 165 master's degree programs, 33 offered doctoral degrees. These programs are very selective and admission is competitive. Firsthand experience and high grades in the sciences will give an applicant the edge over the rest of the field. Those with a bachelor's degree in a related science are still eligible for entrance into a master's degree program. A master's degree in physical therapy is almost always required for advanced administrative or other upper level jobs.

*Median annual earnings of physical therapists were $54,810 in 2000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,510 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,370. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest number of physical therapists in 2000 were as follows:

Home health care services ......................................................$57,830
Nursing and personal care facilities........................................$54,740
Offices of other health care practitio........................................$55,830
Offices and clinics of medical doctors.....................................$58,390
Hospitals ....................................................................................$54,430

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition.

Copyrighted by: The National Health Council, October 1998; reproduced with permission by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Further reproduction prohibited without permission of copyright holder, www.nationalhealthcouncil.org.