Physical therapists, or physiotherapists, help patients regain or improve movement and manage pain. On average, physical therapists earn $69,173 per year in the United States. While the physical therapist salary in Canada generally stands at C$61,115 ($47,292), and AU$59,372 ($45,853) annually in Australia.
In the United Kingdom, these professionals make about £26,729 ($37,714) each year. While people with the same job living in Switzerland make around CHF78,900 ($83,267), and those from Norway win NOK586,401 ($75,469) per year. How much a physical therapist or physiotherapist makes depends on education, experience, work settings, skills and other factors.
Physical Therapist Salary Influencers
Salaries can turn on what kind of establishment employs a physical therapist. For instance, in the United States, the highest earners were in educational institutions, home health, nursing and skilled care centers. Physical therapists can also operate their own practices. The information we have provided in this article was found on Payscale, BLS, Australian JobOutlook, and SalaryExpert.
1. Industry
In the United Kingdom, physiotherapists operate under the National Health Service. There, salaries are determined by the government based on considerations such as experience and certification. However, in the United Kingdom and other countries as well, physical therapists who work outside government-run programs might command higher compensation. These establishments may include sports teams, clinics, nursing homes and fitness clubs.
Physical therapists who engage in private practice are paid based on contractual arrangements. Norway, for example, offers practitioners payment through a local council or directly from patients.
2. Geographical Area
| Physical Therapist Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | Switzerland | Norway |
| Hourly Wage | $38.31 | C$36.09 ($27.94) | £9.50 ($13.41) | AU$34.43 ($26.57) | CHF38($40.10) | NOK282 ($36.32) |
| Annual Wage | $69,173 | C$61,115 ($47,292) | £26,729 ($37,714) | AU$59,372 ($45,853) | CHF78,900 ($83,267) | NOK586,401 ($75,469) |
Physical Therapist Salary in the US
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists earned a median annual salary of $87,220 in May 2016. Physical therapists in home health care services had the highest pay, of $98,230, while skilled nursing facilities paid $92,670 per year.
Physical Therapist Salary in Canada
According to PayScale, the annual range is between C$40,067 and C$81,236 per year in Canada. While the hourly rate is between C$29.99 and C$49.13. The ability to perform manual skill rather than experience drives the ability to earn higher wages, and earnings typically do not rise with more experience.
Physical Therapist Salary in the UK
Physiotherapists living in the UK make between £12,438 and £58,175 per year. While the hourly rate is at £9.50. These figures are approximately the same for therapists in the National Health Service and for those in private practices.
Physical Therapist Salary in Australia
The Australian Government reports full-time physiotherapists earn AU$1,608 per week. According to Payscale, these professionals make between AU$34,905 and AU$100,899 annually.
Physical Therapist Salary in Switzerland
PayScale states that Swiss physiotherapists earn between CHF24,243 and CHF128,035 per year. While SalaryExpert reports that the annual salary for this job stands at CHF78,900.
Physical Therapist Salary in Norway
Same professionals working in Norway earn a median annual salary of NOK586,401. While the hourly pay is at NOK282. Physiotherapists receive NOK9,969 per year in bonuses.
3. Experience
Physical therapists in the United States usually acquire 30 weeks of supervised experience while in school. Upon graduation, these professionals can work in their specialty under a one-year residency program. Those seeking certification by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties must complete either 2,000 hours in a clinical setting or complete a residency approved by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Canada requires applicants generally to have at least 1,025 hours of supervised clinical experience. The physical therapist must also accumulate 100 hours working on musculoskeletal issues, 100 hours on neurological, and 40 hours on cardiorespiratory.
In the United Kingdom, prospective physiotherapists gain experience through an apprenticeship program established by the National Health Service. Apprentices may work in clinical settings while pursuing educational credentials. Norway requires candidates for certification to practice one year after graduation from a bachelor’s program in physical therapy. In Switzerland, physiotherapists must have two years clinical experience to practice independently. For those not entering into private practice, a diploma from a university in applied sciences will suffice.
Working Hours
Generally, physical therapists work full time, although part-time work is also available. The average workweek is 37.5 hours in the United Kingdom. Physical therapists typically work during regular businesses hours on weekdays.
However, depending on the setting, the shifts can encompass evenings and weekends. For example, fitness centers and sports clinics may operate during evenings and even late nights. Therapists employed by sports teams must often be available evenings and weekends during games.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
For physical therapists in the United States, the terms of benefits and bonuses are typically set by the employer without significant government involvement. In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service provides pension and other benefits. Physiotherapists covered by NHS pensions can draw beginning at age 55.
Norwegian physiotherapists in private practice can contract with a local council for annual contributions or, instead, enter into fee arrangements directly with patients. Salaried physiotherapists are entitled to an occupational pension, insurance, benefits for occupational sickness, leave of absence and holiday pay. These work in establishments such as hospitals and nursing homes. In Switzerland, mandated benefits for physiotherapists and other health sector workers include at least four weeks of holiday leave per year and accident insurance covered by the employer.
Job Outlook
An aging population and the prevalence of chronic illnesses could contribute to the high demand for physical therapists and their services in these countries. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 28 percent rise in employment from 2016 to 2026. In Australia, employment of physical therapists is expected to rise significantly by 2020, continuing the trend between 2004 and 2014.
While in Norway by 2060, approximately 20 percent of the population will be at least age 70. As of 2014, Switzerland has four people in age 20 to 64 bracket for every person who is aged 65 or older. In fact, the nation boasted, as of 2013, a life expectancy of age 82, among the highest on the globe.
With the aging population, job openings may increase in nursing homes and skilled care centers. Positions with professional sports teams are highly competitive and likely require extensive prior experience, especially in treating athletes.
Conclusion
Physical therapists can find ample opportunities for employment or in private practice. Demand for their services will grow as the elderly comprise greater proportions of the population. Even where national health care systems set compensation, such as in the United Kingdom, experience or being in private practice can still yield higher earnings. To get an overview of the field, you can also read about the massage therapist salary on our website.
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