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Entry Level Physical Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arkansas Children's

Physical Therapist II

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$1.4K - $1.9K/wk

Serves as a clinical instructor for entry level physical therapy interns, preceptor for new team members, and mentor for physical therapy residents. 7. Demonstrates knowledge of departmental policies ...

CommonSpirit Health

Physical Therapy Assistant

Silverdale, WA · On-site

$29.75 - $39.25/hr

... entry level physical therapist assistant knowledge in rehabilitation, orthopedic, and medical/surgical that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities., upon hire

Tufts Medicine

Intern, Physical Therapy

Boston, MA · On-site

$1.8K - $2.3K/wk

Subsequently, the intern will be expected to perform job duties conforming to that of an entry level physical therapist. The entry level physical therapy evaluates, develops and implements specific ...

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Entry Level Physical Therapist information

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How much do entry level physical therapist jobs pay per week?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average weekly pay for entry level physical therapist in the United States is $1,859.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,596.15 and $2,067.31 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level physical therapist do?

An entry level physical therapist helps patients recover from injuries, manage pain, and improve mobility through personalized exercise and treatment plans. They assess patient conditions, develop rehabilitation programs, and provide hands-on therapy under the supervision of experienced physical therapists. Entry level physical therapists also educate patients on injury prevention and healthy movement habits. They usually work in clinics, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers and are often recent graduates beginning their careers in physical therapy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level physical therapist?

To thrive as an Entry Level Physical Therapist, you need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, state licensure, and a solid understanding of human anatomy and rehabilitation techniques. Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMRs), gait analysis tools, and therapeutic exercise equipment is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and strong interpersonal skills help build rapport with patients and work effectively within healthcare teams. These skills are crucial for delivering effective patient care, promoting recovery, and ensuring positive rehabilitation outcomes.

What are some common challenges entry level physical therapists face when transitioning from school to clinical practice?

Entry level physical therapists often find the transition from academic training to clinical practice both exciting and challenging. One common challenge is managing a diverse caseload, where balancing documentation, patient care, and time management can feel overwhelming at first. Additionally, adapting to real-world protocols, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and developing confidence in patient interactions are areas that may require extra support and mentorship. Most clinics provide orientation and ongoing guidance to help new therapists navigate these adjustments and grow professionally.

What is the difference between Entry Level Physical Therapist vs Physical Therapist Assistant?

AspectEntry Level Physical TherapistPhysical Therapist Assistant
CredentialsDoctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)Associate's Degree in Physical Therapy Assisting
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, rehab facilitiesRehab centers, nursing homes, outpatient clinics
RoleDevelops treatment plans, assesses patient progress, makes clinical decisionsAssists in implementing treatment plans, monitors patient responses under supervision

Entry Level Physical Therapists hold a DPT and are responsible for creating and managing patient treatment plans, while Physical Therapist Assistants support these plans under supervision. Both roles work in similar healthcare settings, but the Physical Therapist Assistant typically has less autonomy and a different credentialing pathway.

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Entry Level Physical Therapist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Physical Therapist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,695 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Physical Therapist - Home Based Primary Care

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Cody, WY • On-site

$88K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Location for this position is at the CODY, WY, Community-Based Oupatient Clinic (CBOC).
Responsible for providing in-home rehabilitation therapy assessments, home assessments, treatment planning, & management of rehabilitation in the home for patients in the HBPC Program. Provides in-home services to veterans who present with a wide variety of multiple, complex chronic illnesses &/or profound disabilities to improve or maintain functional levels & encourage independence in the home.
Qualifications:*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until September 30, 2026 or until the position is filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be August 6, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  1. Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  2. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  3. Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.
Licensure. Individuals hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
  • Exception. Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed.
Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  1. Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
  2. PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
  3. PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
  4. If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
Grade Determinations.
GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry)
Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level)
Education, Experience and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements,candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs.
Assignments at the GS-11 level include, but are not limited to providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non- patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT.
Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  1. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. Thisincludes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.
  2. Skill in performing examinations and evaluations of individuals who have or maydevelop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors.
  3. Ability to interpret findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate testand measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations.
  4. Ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify theappropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated.
  5. Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findingswith the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence.
  6. Ability to independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.

Preferred Experience:
  • Providing rehabilitation services in home or community-based settings, particularly with older adults or those managing chronic health conditions.
  • Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team, collaborating with providers such as nurses, social workers, and physicians, is helpful.
  • Familiarity with home safety assessments, basic caregiver education, and recommending assistive devices or equipment is desirable.
  • Experience with the VA system or caring for veterans is a plus but not required.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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