Why Physical Therapists Are in Demand in 2027

Physical therapists are expected to remain in strong demand in 2027 as healthcare organizations respond to an aging population, chronic health conditions, rehabilitation needs, mobility challenges, and continued demand for alternatives to medication-based pain management.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of physical therapists to grow 12% from 2025 to 2035, significantly faster than the 3% projected growth for all occupations. BLS also projects about 13,400 physical therapist job openings each year, on average, during that decade.

Workforce research from the American Physical Therapy Association points to another challenge: the supply of physical therapists may not be sufficient to meet patient demand. APTA's workforce forecast projects a physical therapist supply shortfall through 2037, with the baseline shortage forecast reaching 8.2% in 2027.

For physical therapists and healthcare employers alike, those trends make 2027 an important year to understand the changing PT workforce.

Why Are Physical Therapists in Demand in 2027?

Demand for physical therapists isn't being driven by one factor. Several healthcare and demographic trends are increasing the need for professionals who help patients improve movement, manage pain, recover from injuries, and regain independence.

Physical therapists treat patients across the lifespan and may work with people recovering from surgery, sports injuries, strokes, fractures, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and other conditions affecting movement.

BLS specifically identifies the growing older adult population, chronic conditions, and increased emphasis on nonopioid pain-management approaches as factors expected to support physical therapist employment growth.

At the same time, physical therapists work across a wide range of healthcare environments, creating demand that extends beyond traditional outpatient therapy clinics.

1. An Aging U.S. Population Is Increasing Rehabilitation Needs

One of the biggest drivers of physical therapist demand is demographic change.

As the population ages, more patients may need rehabilitation and mobility support related to conditions such as strokes, cardiovascular events, arthritis, balance problems, injuries, surgeries, and age-related changes in physical function.

BLS notes that older adults are more likely to experience conditions and mobility-related disabilities that may require physical therapy as part of their rehabilitation.

Physical therapists can help these patients improve strength, movement, balance, endurance, and functional independence.

This means demand isn't limited to hospitals. PTs may be needed in outpatient facilities, skilled nursing environments, rehabilitation centers, home healthcare, and other care settings serving older adults.

2. Chronic Conditions Are Creating Continued Need for Physical Therapy

Physical therapists don't only help patients recover from acute injuries.

They also play an important role in helping people manage chronic conditions affecting movement and physical function.

BLS identifies conditions such as diabetes, obesity, back pain, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal disorders as contributors to future demand for physical therapy services.

For patients living with ongoing health conditions, physical therapy may focus on improving mobility, maintaining physical function, increasing strength, reducing limitations, and helping patients participate more fully in everyday activities.

As healthcare increasingly focuses on long-term disease management and functional outcomes, physical therapists remain an important part of multidisciplinary care teams.

3. Physical Therapy Supports Nonopioid Pain Management

Pain management is another factor supporting demand for physical therapists.

BLS expects greater emphasis on nonopioid approaches to pain management to contribute to physical therapist employment growth.

Physical therapists may use therapeutic exercise, movement training, manual therapy, patient education, and individualized rehabilitation plans to help appropriate patients manage pain and improve function.

Their role can be particularly relevant for patients experiencing musculoskeletal pain, back and neck conditions, recovery from injury, or mobility limitations.

Rather than looking only at symptoms, physical therapy often focuses on helping patients safely restore movement and function.

Is There a Physical Therapist Shortage in 2027?

Current workforce projections suggest the United States could continue experiencing a gap between the supply of physical therapists and demand for their services.

APTA's Supply and Demand Forecast 2022–2037 estimated a national shortfall of approximately 12,070 full-time-equivalent physical therapists in 2022, representing about 5.2% fewer PTs than estimated demand required.

Under the report's baseline forecast, that shortage is projected to fluctuate and reach approximately 8.2% in 2027 before narrowing later in the forecast period. APTA emphasizes that workforce forecasts contain uncertainty and can change depending on factors such as workforce entry, retirement, departures from the profession, and patient access to care.

APTA's 2024 workforce survey also found significant capacity pressure among respondents. About 57% reported insufficient capacity to meet local demand, while another 24.1% indicated they could meet current requests but were already at their capacity without extending work hours.

For healthcare organizations, these workforce pressures can make recruiting and retaining qualified physical therapists increasingly important.

Where Do Physical Therapists Work?

One reason physical therapy offers diverse career opportunities is that PTs aren't limited to one type of healthcare facility.

According to BLS, physical therapists commonly work in therapy offices and clinics, hospitals, home healthcare services, nursing and residential care facilities, and other environments.

Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinics

Outpatient clinics are one of the most familiar physical therapy settings. Therapists may work with patients experiencing orthopedic conditions, post-surgical rehabilitation needs, sports injuries, chronic pain, or movement limitations.

Hospitals and Acute Care

Hospital-based PTs may help patients begin mobilization after surgery, illness, injury, or prolonged hospitalization.

They often collaborate with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, case managers, and other healthcare professionals.

Home Health

Home health physical therapists provide care in patients' homes, particularly for individuals who may have difficulty traveling to an outpatient facility.

The setting can allow therapists to evaluate mobility and safety within the patient's actual living environment.

Skilled Nursing and Residential Care

Physical therapists working in skilled nursing and residential care environments may help patients improve mobility, strength, balance, transfers, and functional independence.

Rehabilitation Facilities

Rehabilitation settings may serve patients recovering from strokes, neurological disorders, major injuries, surgeries, or other conditions requiring coordinated therapy services.

The variety of settings gives physical therapists opportunities to choose environments that align with their clinical interests and career goals.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapy is a licensed healthcare profession.

According to BLS, individuals entering the profession typically need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program, and all U.S. states require physical therapists to be licensed. Specific licensing requirements vary by state.

Physical therapists may also pursue additional training or certification in areas such as:

Orthopedics
Sports physical therapy
Geriatrics
Neurology
Pediatrics
Cardiopulmonary care
Other specialty areas

Healthcare organizations hiring PTs should verify state licensure, education, clinical experience, certifications when required, and facility-specific credentialing requirements.

Physical therapists considering travel, contract, or relocation opportunities should also review licensing requirements for every state where they intend to practice.

What Is the Physical Therapist Job Outlook for 2027?

The broader employment outlook remains positive.

BLS projects physical therapist employment to increase from approximately 283,700 jobs in 2025 to 317,600 jobs in 2035, representing approximately 33,800 additional positions and 12% growth over the decade.

That doesn't mean every city, specialty, or healthcare organization will experience identical demand.

Physical therapist workforce needs can vary according to geography, patient demographics, healthcare utilization, facility type, local workforce supply, and specialty requirements.

APTA's workforce research also highlights substantial geographic variation, meaning some communities may experience greater difficulty meeting demand than others.

For physical therapists exploring new opportunities, location and clinical setting may therefore be just as important as job title.

How Much Do Physical Therapists Earn?

Compensation varies by location, setting, experience, specialty, schedule, and type of employment.

According to the latest BLS data, the median annual wage for physical therapists was $102,760 in May 2025. BLS reported higher median wages in some settings, including home healthcare services, nursing and residential care facilities, and hospitals.

These figures should be viewed as national historical wage data—not guaranteed 2027 salaries.

Physical therapists considering a specific opportunity should review the actual compensation package, schedule, benefits, contract length, location, commute, licensing requirements, and other job-specific details before making a decision.

Why Healthcare Employers Need a Strong PT Recruiting Strategy

Growing patient demand can create challenges for hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient practices, home health organizations, and other employers trying to maintain appropriate therapy coverage.

A strong physical therapy workforce strategy may include:

Identifying staffing needs early
Building pipelines of licensed PT candidates
Reducing credentialing delays
Recruiting for hard-to-fill locations
Offering permanent, contract, travel, or temporary staffing options when appropriate
Improving communication throughout the hiring process
Matching clinicians with the correct setting and patient population

Recruiting isn't simply about filling an open position.

The right match should consider the physical therapist's experience, licensure, clinical interests, availability, and career goals alongside the healthcare organization's patient-care and staffing needs.

How UHC Staffing Helps Physical Therapists and Healthcare Employers

Finding the right physical therapist job or the right PT professional can take time, especially when licensing, credentialing, specialty experience, location, schedule, and facility expectations all need to align.

At UHC Staffing, our healthcare recruiting team helps connect qualified professionals with healthcare organizations looking for skilled talent.

For physical therapists, recruiters can help identify opportunities based on experience, preferred location, availability, clinical setting, and career goals.

For healthcare employers, a healthcare staffing partner can support candidate sourcing, screening, credentialing coordination, communication, and workforce needs across different care environments.

The goal is more than making a placement.

It's connecting the right healthcare professional with the right opportunity while helping healthcare organizations build the teams their patients depend on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Therapist Demand in 2027

Are physical therapists in demand in 2027?

Yes. Current workforce projections indicate continued demand for physical therapists. BLS projects physical therapist employment to grow 12% between 2025 and 2035, while APTA's workforce forecast projects a national supply shortfall relative to demand in 2027.

Why is demand for physical therapists increasing?

Key factors include an aging population, chronic health conditions, rehabilitation following injuries and medical events, mobility needs, musculoskeletal disorders, and increased emphasis on nonopioid approaches to pain management.

How many physical therapist jobs are expected to open?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 13,400 openings for physical therapists each year, on average, from 2025 through 2035. Some openings represent employment growth, while others result from workers transferring occupations or leaving the workforce.

What healthcare settings hire physical therapists?

Physical therapists work in outpatient therapy clinics, hospitals, home healthcare, nursing and residential care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and other healthcare environments.

The right setting depends on the therapist's experience, specialty interests, preferred patient population, and career goals.

Do physical therapists need a license?

Yes. All U.S. states require physical therapists to be licensed. PTs entering the profession typically need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited program, although state licensing requirements vary.

Where can physical therapists find jobs in 2027?

Physical therapists can explore healthcare employer career pages, professional job boards, and specialized healthcare staffing agencies.

UHC Staffing can help PT professionals explore opportunities based on their experience, preferred location, clinical setting, availability, and career goals.

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