Switching from PT to Pod

[kptnau]

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So I'm 90% done with my physical therapy application and now I'm having regrets. I enjoy the profession but the part I enjoy the most does not pay well.
Podiatry does.
I lack the MCAT and org chem and bio2. that is about all.
From what I've seen podiatrists working for others right out of school make well over 100k, right?
Can anyone give me an example of various salaries and how the schooling is different?
For example:
Outpatient Phys ther: 60-80k
Nursing home PT: 75-100k
Home health 85-110k
Own your own clinic: 120 - 200k

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

So I'm 90% done with my physical therapy application and now I'm having regrets. I enjoy the profession but the part I enjoy the most does not pay well.
Podiatry does.
I lack the MCAT and org chem and bio2. that is about all.
From what I've seen podiatrists working for others right out of school make well over 100k, right?
Can anyone give me an example of various salaries and how the schooling is different?
For example:
Outpatient Phys ther: 60-80k
Nursing home PT: 75-100k
Home health 85-110k
Own your own clinic: 120 - 200k

Pods don't work right out of school, they have a 3 year residency. Residencies are paid, but not usually not very substantially ~$50k.

After the 3 year residency, it looks like the starting salary of a pod is ~80k.

 

[dyk343]

Here and here

 

[kptnau]

Ah yes. Thank you much. I already guessed as much as what padpm was saying.
I plan on shadowing now to find out if I'd like it. 4 years and then 3 years of residency and 1 year of low pay is a long time, but to average 196k it seems worth it over physical therapy. Well worth it.

 

[billBOB213]

I was looking at doing PT before podiatry....in fact a PT I was shadowing told me about a podiatrist to shadow!

I wouldn't sweat it if you want to make more money, I do. I have 2 kids and am going back to school and in the long run podiatry is going to be way better for my family and my situation. I feel PT has a lower ceiling of what you can actually do with a patient and what you can make (blanket statement I know, and am sure not always the case-I do know a couple PT's making 120K and above). But that is what they will always be making (and that is no slouch income I know).

But as I shadowed a podiatrist I just enjoyed it more and felt like I was making a bigger difference in patients lives....so I agree with the posts above. If its all about money than I guess you could do Podiatry but you won't be as happy, but you should really shadow a ton right now to figure it out because I think everything will be more enjoyable if you go into podiatry for the right reasons.

 

[kptnau]

You're all right and I understand I have to like it and be passionate about it. If that was my only qualification, I would stick with sports/ortho PT. However my family needs to be supported and 75k when I'm 50y.o. isn't cutting it. Doing PT I'm sure I would give in to do another area of it that I don't find as rewarding just for the money(nursing homes).
That said, I am now scheduled to shadow some DPMs tomorrow. Thanks guys. I will see if it's for me.
I appreciate the help.

 

[nikkisorous]

You're all right and I understand I have to like it and be passionate about it. If that was my only qualification, I would stick with sports/ortho PT. However my family needs to be supported and 75k when I'm 50y.o. isn't cutting it. Doing PT I'm sure I would give in to do another area of it that I don't find as rewarding just for the money(nursing homes).
That said, I am now scheduled to shadow some DPMs tomorrow. Thanks guys. I will see if it's for me.
I appreciate the help.

My dad makes 58k a year and supports a family of 5, and no we don't live ghetto at all. We have a beautiful 4 story house. Don't pick a career just for money.

Also so you know some pods never break 75k a year..