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With the right training, becoming a physical therapist is an emotionally and financial rewarding venture offering solid employment potential.

Physical therapists help those with medical problems that limit their ability to move or perform basic functions, including illnesses, conditions, and injuries. Typically working in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or private offices, physical therapists:

• Examine patients
• Develop a treatment plan that would reduce pain while restoring function or movement
• Oversee therapies, including exercises, functional training, or the use of adaptive devices.
• Coordinate with other care workers to ensure total care.

Because of the sensitive nature of their work, physical therapists should be patient, nurturing, and have solid communication skills.

Physical Therapists Salary Trends

Physical therapy can be a financially rewarding career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median physical therapist salary in 2009 was $74,480, with the middle 50 percent earning between $63,370 and $87,940. Salaries for the top 10 percent exceeded $105,900. Advancing your education through continuing education courses (CECs) or becoming board certified in a clinical specialty can help you qualify for these higher earnings. Physical therapist training online can help you earn these credentials while maintaining full-time work.

According to the BLS, the most lucrative states for physical therapists are Alaska ($87,410), Maryland ($86,190), and Nevada ($85,360), while the highest paying metropolitan areas for physical therapists are Jackson, MI ($144,730); McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($111,790), and San Francisco, CA ($95,500).

According to data from the BLS and the Council for Community and Economic Research's 2009 Cost of Living Index, states with the highest salaries relative to cost of living include Texas, Illinois, and Louisiana, while some of the highest paying metropolitan areas relative to cost of living include Southern Illinois, Ann Arbor, MI, Durham, NC.

According to the BLS, the following industries boasted the highest physical therapist salary in 2009:

• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services, $88,260
• Home health care services, $83,500
• Individual and family services, $80,390

Physical Therapist Training Requirements

The BLS reports that physical therapists must earn post-baccalaureate degrees from accredited programs. They must also be licensed, which involves passing the National Physical Therapy Examination and fulfilling additional state-specific requirements. Physical therapists must also enroll in continuing education courses to maintain employment, and those who hope to improve their salary and employment potential by earning board certification must undergo additional training.

While the nature of the profession mandates some hands-on training, you can typically complete some physical therapist training online through hybrid programs combining traditional and Web-based learning.

Career Forecast for Physical Therapists

The future is bright for budding physical therapists. According to the BLS, physical therapist positions are expected to grow by an impressive 30 percent in the decade preceding 2018--much faster than the national average. A growing elderly population and medical advancements that improve life expectancy should contribute to this growth, as will the federally mandated Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that guarantees students in need access to physical therapy while in school. Prospects should be best, however, for those who acquire the right training, which is why it' so important to choose the right physical therapist program for you, online or otherwise.