Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Physical Therapist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring physical therapists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $102,760), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify NPTE where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for physical therapists
There are about 283,700 physical therapists employed in the U.S., with roughly 13,400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +11.9% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $77,140–$86,160 | $37.09–$41.42 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $135,140 | $64.97 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Musculoskeletal evaluation
- Motivation skills
Nice-to-haves
- NPTE
- State PT license
- Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
- Experience with exercise equipment
Where to find physical therapists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: PT, DPT, Physiotherapist, Sports Physical Therapist
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why physical therapy?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you motivate patients?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
3. “Describe a challenging case.”
What a strong answer includes: Explain your approach.
4. “What setting interests you?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain why.
5. “How do you manage documentation?”
What a strong answer includes: Show organization.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Measure Range of Motion (see the steps)
- Design a Home Exercise Program (see the steps)
- Assess Fall Risk (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as DPT, Range of motion, Gait
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Physical Therapist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Physical Therapist training. Show them the path forward: Staff PT → Senior or Specialist PT → Clinic Director → Practice Owner.
Hiring physical therapists: FAQ
How much should I pay a physical therapist?
The U.S. median wage for physical therapists is $102,760 per year ($49.40/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($86,160), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($121,160). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a physical therapist have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NPTE and State PT license where relevant, plus skills such as musculoskeletal evaluation, therapeutic exercise, and manual therapy.
How long does it take to train a new physical therapist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 7 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”