Job Market Information for Therapists
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Job Market Information for Physical
Therapists
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau
of Labor Statistics, Physical Therapists held about 173,000 jobs
in 2006. Six out of ten physical therapists worked at hospitals
or in offices of physical therapists. Other employers included the
home health care services industry, nursing care facilities, outpatient
care centers, and doctors' offices.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor expects the job market
for physical therapists to grow by 27% between 2006 and 2016. This
growth rate is much faster than the average for all other jobs.
The most physical therapy job opportunities will likely be found
in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings.
Demand for these positions will be spurred by
increasing numbers of individuals with disabilities or limited function,
particularly in the elderly. Additionally, because the baby boom
generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes,
demand for therapeutic services is expected to increase in that
sector of the population. Increasing numbers of children will need
physical therapy due to technological advances designed to save
the lives of newborns with birth defects. Also, advances in medical
care are allowing higher percentages of trauma victims to survive,
increasing the need for rehabilitative services among this population
as well.
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor reports the following
median annual earnings for these specialization areas:
Home health care services: $70,920
Nursing care facilities: $68,650
General medical and surgical hospitals: $66,630
Offices of physicians: $65,900
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists: $65,150
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department
of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition,
Physical Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bis.gov/oco/ocos080.htm.
Job Market Information for
Occupational Therapists
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau
of Labor Statistics, Occupational Therapists held about 99,000 jobs
in 2006. That number is projected to grow to 122,000 by 2016. The
largest number of jobs held was in hospitals. Other major employers
included health care clinics, nursing care facilities, educational
facilities, doctors' offices, individual and family services, government
agencies, and community care facilities for the elderly.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor expects the employment
of occupational therapists to increase by 23% before 2016, which
is a much faster rate of growth than the average for all occupations.
Driving growth in this sector is the number of aging baby boomers.
Additionally, growth in the population of people aged 75 or older
will also increase demand for therapeutic services. Finally, medical
advances are enabling patients with critical problems to survive
longer, further driving the demand for therapeutic services.
Therapists who have specialized knowledge in particular
treatment areas will have better job prospects. Emerging practice
areas for occupational therapy include driver rehabilitation and
fall-prevention training for the elderly.
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor reports the following
median annual earnings for these specialization areas:
Home health care services : $67,600
Nursing care facilities: $64,750
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists: $62,290
General medical and surgical hospitals: $61,610
Elementary and secondary schools: $54,260
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department
of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition,
Occupational Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bis.gov/oco/ocos078.htm.
Job Market Information for Speech
Language Pathologists
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau
of Statistics, speech language pathologists held about 110,000 jobs
in 2006. About half of those workers were employed in preschools,
elementary, and secondary schools. Others were employed in hospitals
and offices of other health practitioners.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor expects the job market
for speech language pathologists to grow by 11% from 2006-2016,
which is an average growth rate in line with the average growth
rate for all occupations.
Prospective patients will come from a variety of populations. The
baby boomers are reaching an age where the possibility of neurological
disorders and associated speech, language, and swallowing impairments
will increase. Advances in medical technology are also improving
the survival rate of premature infants, trauma, and stroke victims
who will need speech therapeutic services.
The growth in schools will also feed a need for
more speech language pathologists in the educational sector, particularly
since the federal government guarantees special education and related
services to all eligible children with disabilities.
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor reports the following
median annual earnings for these specialization areas:
Nursing care facilities: $70,180
Offices of other health practitioners: $63,240
General medical and surgical hospitals: $61,970
Elementary and secondary schools: $53,110
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department
of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition,
Speech-Language Pathologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm.
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