Physiotherapist Salary and Career Progression

As medical practitioners who cover a huge range of medical conditions and types of patients, many physiotherapists tend to specialize in one specific area. These areas of practices range from Chest Physiotherapy which focuses on the removal of secretion buildup in the lungs caused by pulmonary diseases like cystic fibrosis, Sports Physiotherapy who treats and rehabilitates injuries acquired while doing sports activities, physiotherapy care for the elderly, Orthopedics, Obstetrics,  Pediatrics, Geriatric Medicine, Stroke Services, Occupational Health, Outpatient’s Departments, Mental Health, etc. With this, physiotherapy salary differs in so many different factors, such as field of practice, experience, etc.

Physiotherapist’s Tool of Trade

This usually involves soft tissue manipulation/mobilization such as postural training, ergonomic training, bandaging, balance exercises, traction, taping, Orthosis fitting, and remedial therapies such as massages, movement reeducation, joint release, stretching and strengthening exercises, ROM (range of motion) exercises, or even acupuncture. In some cases, physiotherapists may recommend modern treatment techniques such as heat therapy, cold therapy (cryotherapy), and electrical stimulation and new practices like electro-acupuncture. And these different techniques of course, differ in prices, which impacts the salary of the physiotherapist.

Physiotherapists’ Salary

In UK

Physiotherapists’ salary also differs geographically. In UK for example, a newly qualified Physiotherapists working for NHS can receive an annual salary of £19,000 to £24,000, or $27,000 USD to $35,000 USD.

Those who work in considerably busy and/or popular private clinic as specialists, such as Sports Physiotherapists, receive higher salary of £26,000 – £38,000 per annum or $39,000 to $55,000 USD

Highly experienced and qualified specialists working as team leaders make up to £52,000 or $76,000 USD.

In the United States

In the US, the average wage of a licensed Physiotherapist is a median hourly rate of $38.96, or ranges from $27 to $55 per hour. Salary is around $80,000 USD per year, and ranges from $56,000 USD to $113,000 USD.

Top-end physiotherapists or the highest earner physiotherapists in the US earn around $55 an hour, or $113,000 a year. Senior physiotherapists earn $45 an hour, or $93,000 per annum. Experienced physiotherapists earn around $39 per hour or more than $80,000 a year. Junior physiotherapists earn $32 an hour, or more than $67,000 a year. While starting physiotherapists earn as much as $27 per hour or $56,000 per annum.

Career Progression of a Physiotherapist

Aside from graduating from a university, those who work as assistants of physiotherapists can acquire further training to become a licensed and qualified physiotherapist through short course programs offered by universities and other medical institutions. For graduates with high 2:1 in biological science discipline or related field, there is the option for degree conversion.

During the course of their careers, physiotherapist salary must keep their minds and skills sharp by keeping up with the latest developments and medicine advancements as part of their Continuing Personal Development (CPD) and Sports Science for Sports Physiotherapists.

To earn more, physiotherapists can take bigger responsibilities in their work, such as moving to managerial position or becoming a team leader of a hospital, clinic, etc. Alternatively, physiotherapists can own or part-own private clinics and be their own boss and earn higher income.