Career Atlas USA

Career Paths From Physical Therapists

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

  1. Occupational TherapistsLateral Move97.3% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Occupational Therapists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $100,330
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  2. Nurse PractitionersLateral Move97.4% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Nurse Practitioners share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Nurse Practitioners sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 29% higher.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $132,300
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  3. Family Medicine PhysiciansLateral Move95.9% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Family Medicine Physicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Family Medicine Physicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 138% higher.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $244,180
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  4. General Internal Medicine PhysiciansLateral Move95.9% skill match

    Physical Therapists and General Internal Medicine Physicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). General Internal Medicine Physicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 150% higher.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $256,560
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  5. Nurse MidwivesLateral Move97.6% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Nurse Midwives share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). Nurse Midwives sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 30% higher.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $134,040
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  6. ChiropractorsLateral Move96% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Chiropractors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Chiropractors sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 23% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $79,200
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  7. Athletic TrainersLateral Move96.1% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Athletic Trainers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 39% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $62,520
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  8. Exercise PhysiologistsLateral Move97.3% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Exercise Physiologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Exercise Physiologists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 42% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $59,460
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    4
  9. Medical DosimetristsLateral Move96.7% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Medical Dosimetrists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Medical Dosimetrists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 44% higher.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $147,470
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    4
  10. Occupational Therapy AidesCareer Change95.9% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapy Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Occupational Therapy Aides is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 5). Median salary is about 62% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $39,160
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    3
  11. Social and Community Service ManagersCareer Change95.8% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Social and Community Service Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Social and Community Service Managers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 22% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $80,390
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    4
  12. Child, Family, and School Social WorkersCareer Change96.6% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Child, Family, and School Social Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Child, Family, and School Social Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 42% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $59,550
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    4
  13. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsCareer Change96% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 36% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $66,270
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    4
  14. Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryCareer Change95.8% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 58% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $42,910
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    5
  15. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesLateral Move96.5% skill match

    Physical Therapists and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 5). Median salary is about 37% lower.

    Current median salary
    $102,760
    Target median salary
    $64,400
    Current Job Zone
    5
    Target Job Zone
    3

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.