Student support
Elementary School Physical Therapist
Addresses students' mobility and gross motor needs
- Pay range
- $58,000–$90,000
- Median
- $72,000
- Education
- Doctorate
- Job outlook
- Fast-growing
What you'll do
- Assess gross motor skills and mobility
- Provide physical therapy services
- Develop mobility and strengthening programs
- Train staff on safe transfers and positioning
- Recommend adaptive equipment
- Collaborate on accessibility needs
A typical day
- Individual therapy sessions
- Gait training and mobility work
- Adaptive PE consultations
- Equipment trials and fittings
- IEP meetings and goal setting
- Staff training on positioning
- Documentation and billing
Education & certification path
- Bachelor's degree (pre-PT program)
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Complete clinical rotations
- Pass national licensure exam
Required certifications
- State PT license
- Pediatric specialty certification (optional)
- School-based therapy training
Career progression
- PT Student → Physical Therapist
- Lead School PT
- Rehabilitation Services Director
- Private Practice or Consultant
Where and when you'll work
- Work environment
- Therapy space with mats, equipment, travels between schools
- Typical schedule
- 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, serves multiple schools