Aging Boomers and healthcare reform are helping physical therapy to become a job growth leader in the United States. With life expectancy reaching 79.8 years in 2013, there is a growing need for physical therapists to help boomers to stay fit and healthy throughout their senior years. Additionally, healthcare reform is adding millions of newly-insured patients, some of whom are going to require physical therapy services.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is another contributor to the growth of physical therapy jobs. A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that chronic pain affects nearly a third of U.S. adults. Additionally, it was found that chronic pain increases with age; so again, boomers will require additional physical therapy care.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), “Chronic pain, which is defined as pain that lasts for several months, or in some cases, years, affects at least 116 million Americans each year. Physical therapists play an important role in managing chronic pain by administering treatments that include strengthening and flexibility exercises, manual therapy, posture awareness, and body mechanics instruction. Physical therapists can also help the patient to understand the underlying cause of their pain.”
Physical Therapy Jobs by the Numbers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that 73,500 physical therapy jobs will be created in the 10-year period from 2012 to 2022. That translates into a 36% growth rate for the 10-year period or an average of 3.6% per year.
Pay scale surveys reveal that:
- Physical therapy salaries increase dramatically after just five years of experience.
- A typical physical therapist salary is between $71,520 and $80,000 per year.
- Hourly wages for physical therapists average $35 per hour.
Industry researcher and business intelligence provider, IBISWorld has an even more optimistic forecast, calling for an annual growth rate of 4.3% for physical therapist jobs until 2016.
IBISWorld also predicts:
- Physical therapy centers will increase from 105,587 in 2011 to 123,351 in 2016, a 14.4% growth rate.
- Revenue growth for physical therapy will grow at 4.8% annually.
- Total physical therapy jobs will reach 327,851 by 2016 an increase of 123,651 from 2012 – more than 50,000 jobs higher than the BLS predicts in 2022.
Therapist Careers Nationwide American Traveler Allied specializes in nationwide career opportunities for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, PTAs, Speech Language Pathologists and other allied professionals. We staff Outpatient Centers, Rehab Centers, skilled nursing facilities, and top rehabilitation hospitals nationwide. Experienced physical therapists are currently in high demand on the West Coast with both permanent and travel positions available; including therapist jobs in Arizona and surrounding areas.
Healthcare facilities in California are also trying to fill physical therapy positions and offer some of the highest pay rates in the nation coupled with a comprehensive benefits package. The application process is quick and easy, so apply online now or call 1-800-617-0608 to speak to one of our highly trained consultants.
Resources:
http://www.chieftain.com/life/family/2654950-120/physical-ownbey-therapy-age#sthash.qthUNX5r.dpuf
http://www.ibisworld.com/industry/default.aspx?indid=1562
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20797916
http://www.inc.com/best-industries-2011/physical-therapy.html
