This report from APTA provides a snapshot of the demographic makeup of the physical therapy workforce. It uses data from APTA's 2025 Physical Therapy Profile Survey, along with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, and various other sources to describe the physical therapy workforce. Factors explored include location, age, gender, race and ethnicity, workplace settings, degree program enrollment and graduation demographics, and more.
Among the highlights of the report's findings:
- Enrollment in doctor of physical therapy programs has experienced a significant increase in recent years.
- After several years of decline, enrollments in physical therapist assistant programs are increasing.
- A considerable number of PTs and PTAs perceive that there are shortages of professionals in their local areas.
- While diversity within the field of physical therapy is improving, there is still work to be done.