SOC 29-1123
Physical Therapists
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ31/100
Moderate
US Employment
๐ฅ248,630
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$101K
$74K โ $133K
Projected Growth
๐+10.9%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค62/100
High exposure
๐ก Physical Therapists face a risk score of 31/100 โ 13 points below the national average of 44. With 62/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $101K ($55K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 31/100, Physical Therapists faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai clinical decision-support tools guiding treatment are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 248,630 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in interdisciplinary care coordination and complex clinical judgment in ambiguous presentations to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Physical Therapists?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
AI clinical decision-support tools guiding treatment
AI summarization replacing manual report compilation
Administrative automation of medical billing and coding
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Interdisciplinary care coordination
Complex clinical judgment in ambiguous presentations
Empathetic patient communication and bedside manner
Ethical decision-making in end-of-life situations
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
๐ป Technology Skills
Medical software
Action games
Analytical or scientific software
Word processing software
Accounting software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
Therapy and Counseling
Medicine and Dentistry
Psychology
Education and Training
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 81% |
| Dentists, General | 24 | $173K | 74% |
| Podiatrists | 28 | $153K | 81% |