74 Physical Therapy Statistics, Facts & Demographics

Top 10 Physical Therapy Statistics

Physical therapy is an essential aspect of healthcare that helps individuals recover from injury, improve their mobility, and enhance their quality of life. Here are the top 10 physical therapy statistics you need to know:

Over 50 million Americans seek physical therapy services each year.
The global physical therapy market will reach $39.4 billion by 2025.
79% of physical therapy patients report a significant reduction in pain after treatment.
Physical therapy can reduce the need for opioid medication by 87%.
90% of physical therapy patients say that their treatment improved their overall quality of life.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults, but physical therapy can reduce the risk of falls by 25%.
1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have a musculoskeletal condition that requires medical attention, and physical therapy is often a key part of treatment.
The demand for physical therapy services is expected to increase by 18% over the next decade.
Physical therapy can reduce healthcare costs by up to 72% compared to surgery or other interventions.
98% of physical therapy patients say they would recommend physical therapy to others.

31 Intriguing Physical Therapy Statistics (And Facts) 2022

How Many Physical Therapists Are There In The U.S?

As of May 2020, there were approximately 247,700 physical therapists in the United States.
This number is projected to increase by 18% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The highest percentage (29%) of physical therapists are employed in ambulatory healthcare services.
Hospitals employ about 27% of physical therapists while nursing care facilities employ approximately 11%.
Home healthcare services and government agencies employ about 7% and 6% of physical therapists respectively.

What is the Average Rate of Physical Therapists by State?

The state with the highest concentration of physical therapists is Vermont, where there are 7.8 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs.
Other states with high concentrations include Maine (5.4), Rhode Island (4.6), and Massachusetts (4.5).
In contrast, states with the lowest concentration of physical therapists include Texas (2.1), Mississippi (2.0), and Nevada (1.9).
The national average rate of physical therapists is 3.19 per 1,000 jobs.

How Many Physical Therapists Are There In The World?

As of 2018, there were approximately 1.2 million physical therapists worldwide.
North America has the highest number of physical therapists per capita, with 0.6 physical therapists per 1,000 people.
Europe and Latin America follow closely behind with 0.5 and 0.4 physical therapists per 1,000 people respectively.
Asia has the lowest number of physical therapists per capita at only 0.04 physical therapists per 1,000 people.
The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) predicts that by 2030, there will be a shortage of over one million physical therapists worldwide due to an aging population and increased demand for healthcare services.

Physical Therapist by Gender Statistics

As of May 2020, 64% of physical therapists in the United States were female.
The remaining 36% were male.
However, the percentage of male physical therapists has been slowly increasing over the years. In 2009, only 29% of physical therapists were male.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020, the median annual wage for male physical therapists was $90,170 while it was $82,390 for females.

Physical Therapist by Age Statistics

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020:

2% of physical therapists in the U.S. were under 25 years old.
32% were between the ages of 25 and 34.
31% were between the ages of 35 and 44.
20% were between the ages of 45 and 54.
11% were between the ages of 55 and 64.
Only about 4% of physical therapists were over the age of 64.

This shift is expected to continue, with projections showing that over half (51%) of physical therapists will be aged between 25 and 44 by the year 2029.

Physical Therapist by Race & Ethnicity Statistics

As of May 2020, the majority (72%) of physical therapists in the U.S. identified as White.
The remaining 28% identified as a racial or ethnic minority.
Among minority physical therapists, 9% identified as Asian, 7% as Hispanic or Latino, and 5% as Black or African American.
American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and Two or More Races each made up less than 2% of physical therapists in the U.S.
The percentage of minority physical therapists has been slowly increasing over the years. In 2009, only 20% of physical therapists identified as a racial or ethnic minority.

Orthopedic Physical Therapist Statistics

Orthopedic physical therapists make up approximately 34% of all physical therapy specialists in the United States.
The majority (68%) of orthopedic physical therapists are employed in outpatient care centers and private practices.
About 13% work in hospitals, while 7% work in nursing care facilities.
The median annual wage for orthopedic physical therapists was $89,440 as of May 2020.
The demand for orthopedic physical therapy is expected to increase by 22% over the next decade due to an aging population and increased awareness about the benefits of physical therapy.

59 Physical Therapy Statistics, Facts & Demographics

Neurological Physical Therapist Statistics

Approximately 7% of physical therapists in the United States specialize in neurological physical therapy.
The majority (73%) work in outpatient care centers or private practices while 9% work in hospitals and 5% work in nursing care facilities.
The median annual wage for neurological physical therapists was $88,500 as of May 2020.

Pediatric Physical Therapist Statistics

Approximately 5% of physical therapists in the United States specialize in pediatric physical therapy.
The majority (69%) of pediatric physical therapists work in outpatient care centers or private practices while 13% work in hospitals and 7% work in nursing care facilities.
The remaining percentage of pediatric physical therapists are self-employed or work in educational services, government agencies, or other healthcare settings.
The median annual wage for pediatric physical therapists was $84,690 as of May 2020.
The demand for pediatric physical therapy is expected to increase by 22% over the next decade due to an aging population and increased awareness about the benefits of early intervention for developmental delays and disabilities.

Sports Physical Therapists Statistics

Approximately 6% of physical therapists in the United States specialize in sports physical therapy.
The majority (65%) of sports physical therapists work in outpatient care centers or private practices while 12% work in hospitals and 7% work in nursing care facilities.
The median annual wage for sports physical therapists was $89,440 as of May 2020.
The demand for sports physical therapy is expected to increase by 22% over the next decade due to an aging population and increased interest in fitness activities.

How Much Do Physical Therapists Make?

The median annual wage for physical therapists in the United States was $91,010 as of May 2020.
The lowest 10% of physical therapists earned less than $62,120 per year while the highest 10% earned more than $126,670 per year.
Physical therapists working in home healthcare services had the highest median annual wage at $99,320 while those working in outpatient care centers had the lowest median annual wage at $82,540.
Physical therapists working in skilled nursing facilities had a median annual wage of $90,270 while those working in hospitals had a median annual wage of $87,280.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapists who were self-employed or who worked as contractors earned a median hourly rate of $47.68 as of May 2020.
About 38% of physical therapists work part-time and earn a median hourly rate of $44.47.

How Big Is The Physical Therapy Market?

The global physical therapy market was valued at $33.2 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $39.4 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period.
In the United States, the physical therapy market was valued at $35.8 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $47.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2020 to 2027.
Within the U.S., outpatient services accounted for the largest share of physical therapy spending in 2019, making up over 60% of total spending.
Home healthcare services and hospitals were the next largest spenders on physical therapy services, accounting for around 20% and 15% of total spending respectively.

Average Number Of Physical Therapy Visits

The average number of physical therapy visits per patient is 7.4.
Patients with musculoskeletal disorders require an average of 8 visits per episode of care.
Patients with neurological disorders require an average of 11 visits per episode of care.
Patients with cardiopulmonary disorders require an average of 6 visits per episode of care.
Patients with integumentary disorders require an average of 5 visits per episode of care.

Physical Therapy Patient Statistics

Approximately 52% of physical therapy patients are female while 48% are male.
The average age of a physical therapy patient is 52 years old.
About 65% of physical therapy patients have private insurance while 22% have Medicare and 6% have Medicaid.
The most common reason for seeking physical therapy is back pain, accounting for approximately 34% of all cases.
Other common reasons include leg or knee pain (12%), neck pain (11%), shoulder pain (9%), and arm or elbow pain (7%).
About 18% of physical therapy patients receive treatment for neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis.
Only about 5% of physical therapy patients receive treatment for cardiopulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease.

FAQs

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the prevention, treatment and management of movement disorders. Physical therapists work with patients to help them regain strength, mobility, and range of motion after an injury or illness.

How Long Does A Physical Therapy Session Last?

The duration of a physical therapy session can vary depending on the patient's needs and goals. Typically, a session lasts between 30 minutes to one hour. The frequency of sessions can also vary depending on the severity of the condition being treated.

Do I Need A Referral To See A Physical Therapist?

In many cases, a referral from a doctor is not required to see a physical therapist. However, some insurance plans may require a referral in order for the cost of treatment to be covered.

Can Physical Therapy Help With Chronic Pain?

Yes, physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and back pain. Through targeted exercises and stretches, physical therapists can help patients manage their pain levels and improve their overall quality of life.

What Should I Expect During My First Physical Therapy Appointment?

During your first appointment with a physical therapist, they will evaluate your condition and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals. This may include exercises, stretches or other modalities designed to help you achieve optimal outcomes.

Is Physical Therapy Covered By Insurance?

Many insurance plans cover all or part of the cost of physical therapy services. However, coverage can vary depending on the specific plan and provider. It's important to check with your insurance company before beginning treatment to understand what costs will be covered.

The Future of Physical Therapy

With the demand for physical therapy services expected to increase significantly over the next decade, the future of physical therapy is bright. As new technologies and treatment options continue to emerge, physical therapy will continue to play an essential role in healthcare and help individuals achieve better health and wellness.