Physical therapists can work in many settings; from hospitals to schools to even people’s homes. However, some places in the United States are better than others for this particular career. Consider this blog to be your guide to the best states for physical therapists to find employment (based on number of annual job openings and average salary). If you’re a physical therapist or are in the process of becoming a physical therapist, thinking about getting licensed to practice elsewhere in the country, it’s crucial that you choose the best destination for you. Consider how the job market is doing in that state, the benefits of living in that area, and your wants and needs to achieve the best outcome in life.
Get to Work
Before getting into the best states for physical therapists, we have to consider what are the everyday responsibilities of this medical career and if this is the right move for you. Physical therapists are described as, “moving experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. They diagnose and treat individuals, from newborns to people at the end of life… Physical therapists examine each person and then develop a treatment plan to improve their ability to move, reduce, or manage, pain, restore function, and prevent disability” according to APTA. This career is very much about understanding the mechanics of the body and every single day is unique. With each client being different and having a variety of needs, you’ll be tasked in helping your patient’s long-term success.
There is one thing, however, that will stay common throughout your daily practice. You will take notes for every single one of your patients. SOAP notes, or subjective, objective, assessment, and plan notes, allow you to keep track of your patient’s progress. Not only does this form of note taking track progress, but it also will be extremely helpful to the patient’s medical team if they ever need to know previous, clear history. Apart from SOAP notes, you’ll have a busy day teaching new, hands-on exercises to relieve some physical pain for new or returning patients. If you have an onboarding patient, your day becomes a bit busier, but it’s nothing that you can’t handle! Alright, now that we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time to discuss the best states for physical therapists.
10 Best States for Physical Therapists
The following states are the best states for physical therapists searching for jobs according to information collected by Zippia. Whether these states do so well because of their population sizes, location quotient, salary, or other factors, these are the places you should look into when filling out applications for travel physical therapy jobs. Even if you aren’t satisfied with the states provided, or maybe you aren’t looking for a full time PT position, you can always trust Allied Travel Careers to help you find you the best locations for all your job inquiries!
- Alaska: 118 total physical therapy jobs
- California: 4,108 total physical therapy jobs
- Washington: 1,143 total physical therapy jobs
- Nevada: 282 total physical therapy jobs
- Texas: 3,459 total physical therapy jobs
- Wyoming: 96 total physical therapy jobs
- New Mexico: 281 total physical therapy jobs
- North Dakota: 191 total physical therapy jobs
- Delaware:177 total physical therapy jobs
- Minnesota: 642 total physical therapy jobs
Best Places for PT Pay
Of course, you want to find the best state for physical therapist jobs; however, we do have to consider what your average salary will be. Money, or really anything having to relate to finances, is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Not only can you find a location that meets your needs, but you can also find a state that will grant and suffice you with more than enough money! The salaries of the following states will provide you with a general idea of your average annual salary according to Zippia‘s data:
- Texas: $105,005
- Mississippi: $103,923
- Michigan: $98,247
- Tennessee: $97,908
- Illinois: $95,528
- Alabama: $94,440
- Georgia: $93,807
- New Mexico: $92,466
- Kentucky: $92,011
- Ohio: $91,876
Take a risk by moving to one of the above ranked states for a more extravagant, physical therapist job opportunity and so that you can have more money in your pocket. It’s never too late to change up your life. If you prefer to live in the suburbs, do your thing! But for our physical therapists that love the city, join us in checking out the best cities for physical therapists!
Best Cities for PTs
AdvisorSmith took information about PT careers and evaluated them on three key elements:
- How big is the population of each city?
- How expensive is the cost of living?
- What is the location quotient for physical therapists in the city?
It’s great to have a PT job with a high, average annual salary and a cheap city; but not if there are no job openings available. All things considered, the top cities for pursuing physical therapy jobs are:
- Gadsen, AL (with a small population less than 150k)
- Punta Gorda, FL ( mid-size population of 150-500k people)
- Youngstown, OH (with a large population of 500k+)
So, how does Punta Gorda, Florida sound? You’ll have the satisfaction of helping others feel better while also enjoying a nice mimosa on the beach on your free days. What about Youngstown, Ohio? This metropolitan area is constantly growing, which is perfect for you to meet new people and have a nice night out in town. Not to mention, you get a great salary with an even better view. Although it’s not everything, location is key for travel positions. But again, it all depends on your personality, spending limits, and comfortability with frequent moving around. Next time you are browsing for a new change, check out some of the recommended places with higher pay and available jobs.
Hopefully we answered your question and concerns regarding best states for physical therapists! Let us know in the comments below which state you would love to live in!
