If it doesn't add up for you personally, don't do it. You know how you want to live and compromising your wants will lead to regrets. If you need to make more than 100k annually for the rest of your life PT is not for you. If you are content with the smaller things in life and want to live comfortably, yet still have time for your family and be a part of a great career, then PT may be just your ticket. But in all seriousness this has been beat to death way too many times to count, so if you can't accept that you will probably not get paid what you are worth and that money is your number one concern, it may never add up.
p.s. search function is your friend.
I think people almost always get paid what they are worth.
Now that the shouting and throwing things at the computer is finished, I will elaborate.
If a PT wants to make a ton of money, they shouldn't work for someone. They should work only for the patient. That means they aren't employed by a hospital (I am). they are responsible for all facets of their career. They beat the bushes for patients, they assess them properly, treat them well, charge a fair price, get paid for those services, and comply with all manner of regulations. Those patients talk to other people, talk to their doctors, and more patients come.
That same PT who doesn't do any one of those things will ultimately fail. Those professionals who take risk have the greatest potential to make a bunch of money.
Example: my uncle worked as a plumber for years. he got to the point where he was bidding the jobs, ordering the stuff, scheduling the crew, supervising the crew and yet he was still just a plumber. When he took a risk and started his own plumbing business he was not able to crack his local market right away. So, in the late 70's he packed up his wrenches and whatnot and went to Texas. He was away from his family for months at a time. He worked his tail off, maybe 80-100 hours per week because it was HIS. If he didn't do it, it didn't get done. He worked just like before but if what he did didn't work, it was HIS fault. He took a risk and because he was willing to bust his ***** he made it work. He moved back home and blew the joint away. He retired a multimillionaire at 55. Now he plays golf every day.
The point is, if you are willing to do the hard work ( I am not talking about just studying hard and getting into the school of your choosing) then you are much more likely to make the kind of money you deserve.
Me, I was all gung ho about starting my own clinic and running the show but I realized that I am not the type of detail person that can deal with all of the administrative crap that business owners have to deal with. I personally like that I have an administrator who knows and keeps up with legal changes, regulatory changes, HR changes and other things that really don't always abide by common sense and logic. If it were that easy, I would have had my own shop. I am glad that I have a billing office that deal with the insurance companies and spend hours on hold to claim the money that I bill. The peace of mind that I have by not having to deal with the "other" stuff makes it well worthwhile for me not to have my own clinic. Would I like to make more money? Sure. Is it worth the sacrifice and stress? To me, the answer is no. Do I begrudge the people that do, Hell no.
So, if you think you are going into a job you love and work 36-40 hours per week for someone else, letting them take all of the risk and become wealthy, you are misguided. If you want to make more money and count pills all day, be my guest. But don't have any illusions that you aren't getting paid what you are worth.
If you treat 14 patients per day and you bill them $150 per session, you will be paid $2100 per day. If you collect all of it you can make a boatload of money ($525k assuming 50 weeks of 5 working days and giving you 2 weeks off excluding holidays just to make the math easier) That's a lot of money. Remember, someone has to collect all of that money. So, if you are treating patients all day, the billing has to be done sometime. Insurance companies aren't open at 7pm so you have to do your calling during the day. This means that you are treating your 14 patients sometimes in the evenings (OK, most evenings) and for $150 per visit you damn well better be getting excellent results or you will be finding yourself with a lot of time on your hands.
I am getting long winded. I think I have made my point of view clear. Get over yourselves.