PT info please!!

[rwebster23]

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I was considering going into PT school, but then realized how low their income starts at after having a 3 year degree. I'm from Utah and am considering practicing there and I know they start out at about 45k a year. I'm fascinated by the science of physical therapy in general. Am I wrong in what the average therapist makes? How much does a therapist make when they own their own practice? Is there other fields that do similar work but get paid more? I guess I was frustrated in learning that after 3 years of post graduate schooling I would start off at a crappy income.
Any thoughts would be great. Thanx.

 

[beephlatPT]

😱
I was considering going into PT school, but then realized how low their income starts at after having a 3 year degree. I'm from Utah and am considering practicing there and I know they start out at about 45k a year. I'm fascinated by the science of physical therapy in general. Am I wrong in what the average therapist makes? How much does a therapist make when they own their own practice? Is there other fields that do similar work but get paid more? I guess I was frustrated in learning that after 3 years of post graduate schooling I would start off at a crappy income.
Any thoughts would be great. Thanx.

Yes I thats about right, PTs start b/t 45-50K right out of school depending on the setting and location. I have been a PT for 5 years but I got my degree and license when my school's program was still at the Bachelor's level. To be quite honest, if I was starting college right now I probably wouldn't do PT b/c though its a cool job and profession, I don't think that it necessarily warrants 3 years of post grad training as people like me (with a bachelors) that have been working for a while are likely to still make more $$ b/c of experience. The reality of it is that you still have to take the boards when you're done and you will still be entry level when you start your first job and get paid accordingly. You will also, depending on where you go to school, probably have a lot of debt from school loans that your salary will not be able to pay for for a very long time unless you work somewhere that offers some sort of tuition foregiveness program as part of their benefits. That being said, it is a very flexible field in terms of areas that you can work and hours you can work and they even have traveling contract jobs where the company takes care of most of your traveling expenses and you housing when you're on an assignment, which is yet another way that you can more rapidly pay off your debts if you chose to go that route. All in all, there are pros and cons it just depends on whats most important to you. Also, keep in mind that you will make more into the 60s, closer to 70s with some experience or with some hustling. I personally wouldn't do it right now with all of the programs being so much longer than when I went but thats me. I'm actually going to medical school. Just do your research and figure out whats important to you before making a choice. Good Luck!