Occupations: Physical Therapists
Physical Therapists
Overview of the profession:
Physical therapists (PTs) are the experts in helping patients regain, maintain, or enhance their physical abilities and overall health through non-surgical means. PTs assess and diagnose physical conditions, develop customized treatment plans, and use a variety of therapeutic techniques to address issues such as pain, muscle weakness, range of motion limitations, and coordination problems. They work with a diverse range of clients, from athletes looking to improve their performance to individuals recovering from surgery or managing chronic conditions. PTs in Michigan have earned a doctoral degree from an accredited program and hold a license to practice issued by the state. Because PTs focus on treatment and prevention of injuries, they work in various workplaces, from hospitals and outpatient rehabilitation centers to schools and for minor and major league sports teams. Due to the vast array of physical ailments PTs can address, PTs are crucial in helping patients regain confidence and independence.
Policy Highlights
Includes recent proposed legislation
Current Physical Therapist Workforce Data
We've provided the latest data from Lightcast below. Click on the images to enlarge them and review them in further detail.
2024 Hourly Wages
10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$35.30 | $38.80 | $47.29 | $50.55 | $56.83 |
Top Posted Job Titles
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Physical Therapists
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Travel Physical Therapists
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Home Health Physical Therapists
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Outpatient Physical Therapists
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Home Care Physical Therapists
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Inpatient Physical Therapists
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Outpatient Travel Physical Therapists
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Physical Therapist Directors
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Pediatric Physical Therapists
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School Physical Therapists
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Licensed Physical Therapists
Index Ranking
Ranked 7th (out of 36) "healthiest" profession according to the 2024 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index.
Learn more here.
2024 Employment: 7,468
Projected 2034 Employment: 8,817 (+18%)
Highlighted Workforce Initiatives
Name: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies
Prosperity Region: 8
Description: Albion College offers a year-long Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Premedical Studies. The program is designed to prepare students to gain entry into professional school by developing their academic and extracurricular competencies. Students take social science and science elective courses, have clinical placements, meet with Wilson Medical Institute advisors and participate in professional development workshops in areas such as application preparation, public health and MCAT/DAT/GRE preparation. The goal of the program is to increase the number of students who go to graduate programs to become healthcare professionals.
Name: OPTIMISE School Physical Therapist Program
Prosperity Region: Statewide
Description: The school-based physical therapist is part of the special education team that helps develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). They create treatment plans and implement appropriate therapy strategies to ensure students can physically access educational resources. There are different options, from dual enrollment to Community Colleges, which can be tuition-free for the applicant. To start your career in this field you need to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science, get a Doctor of Physical Therapy and apply for licensing. Please visit their page for more information.
Name: Physical Therapy Accelerated Pathway
Prosperity Region: 6
Description: University of Michigan-Flint's Accelerated Physical Therapy program offers participants to complete both a bachelor’s and doctorate in six years and with 33 fewer credits, saving one year of time and tuition. The traditional path to a doctorate in physical therapy is seven years.
Physical Therapist Career Pathway
What is needed to become a licensed physical therapist (PT) in Michigan?
Physical Therapists in Michigan must hold a doctorate degree in physical therapy to be eligible for licensure. Individuals can either earn a bachelor’s degree -- in any area of study-- and then apply to a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education. Alternatively, they may choose to complete an accelerated program, earning their bachelor's
degree in three years, and then apply to the accredited physical therapy doctoral program. Upon graduation, PTs must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam to be eligible for licensure.
Is a career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) a stepping stone to a career as a PT?
No, according to the American Physical Therapy Association PTA’s have a different educational curriculum than PTs and do not meet the prerequisite requirements needed for a doctoral-level physical therapy program.
Latest Physical Therapist News
