Why this resume works
- Highlights industry-specific skills: By incorporating specialized techniques in orthopedic assessments and therapeutic interventions, the applicant aligns their experience with healthcare skills valued in physical therapy roles.
- Quantifies accomplishments: Metrics like improving recovery rates to 95% and patient mobility by 40% spotlight measurable results that reflect effective contributions.
- Illustrates problem-solving ability: Implementing new therapeutic techniques to boost patient satisfaction by 30% showcases problem-solving skills through innovative approaches to solving care challenges.
More Physical Therapist Resume Examples
Our physical therapist resume examples demonstrate how to highlight your patient care skills, rehabilitation techniques, and dedication to improving mobility. Use these physical therapy resume samples to craft a resume that positions you as a strong applicant in physical therapy roles.
Entry-Level Physical Therapist
Why this resume works
- Effective use of keywords: Skillfully integrating physical therapy-related keywords like “orthopedic rehabilitation” and “pain management,” the applicant ensures visibility to applicant tracking systems (ATS), boosting their chances in job searches.
- Centers on academic background: Showcasing a master’s in physical therapy in the education section emphasizes the applicant’s strong academic foundation early in their career journey.
- Uses action-oriented language: Action verbs like “coordinated,” “conducted,” and “elevated” convey effectiveness and initiative.
Mid-Level Physical Therapist
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: By detailing outcomes like improving patient mobility by 35% and reducing recovery times, the applicant showcases a results-driven mindset that directly impacts patient health.
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: Combining technical skills in therapeutic exercise design with interpersonal skills to engage patients, the applicant presents a well-rounded approach to rehabilitation.
- Demonstrates language abilities: Knowledge in Spanish, French, and German shows language skills, enabling effective communication with diverse patients and supporting cross-cultural therapy sessions.
Experienced Physical Therapist
Why this resume works
- Focuses on work history: The applicant uses a chronological resume that clearly outlines extensive experience, showcasing growth and expertise over 15 years in physical therapy roles.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: By detailing effective outcomes like boosting recovery rates by 20%, the applicant’s accomplishments reflect significant contributions to patient care and clinic success.
- Emphasizes leadership skills: Illustrating leadership skills through training junior therapists and supervising teams, the applicant showcases effective leadership skills that foster professional development and operational improvement.
Physical Therapist Resume Template (Text Version)
Jane Wilson
Lakeside, CA 92043
(555)555-5555
Jane.Wilson@example.com
Professional Summary
Experienced Physical Therapist driving transformative care. Expertise in patient rehabilitation, therapy innovation, and orthopedic treatment strategies.
Work History
Physical Therapist
Greenfield Rehabilitation Center – Lakeside, CA
January 2023 – August 2025
- Increased patient satisfaction by 30%
- Conducted 50+ therapy sessions monthly
- Implemented new therapeutic techniques
Rehabilitation Specialist
Meadowbrook Therapy Solutions – Riverside, CA
June 2019 – December 2022
- Achieved 95% recovery rates
- Guided team to improve success by 20%
- Reduced rehabilitation time by 15%
Orthopedic Therapist
Riverbend Care Clinic – Riverside, CA
August 2015 – June 2019
- Developed personalized care plans
- Improved patient mobility by 40%
- Led monthly team training sessions
Skills
- Patient Care
- Manual Therapy
- Exercise Prescription
- Rehabilitation Techniques
- Orthopedic Assessments
- Treatment Planning
- Clinical Documentation
- Therapeutic Interventions
Education
Master’s Degree Physical Therapy
University of Health Sciences Chicago, IL
June 2015
Bachelor’s Degree Kinesiology
State University Springfield, IL
June 2013
Certifications
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist – National Strength & Conditioning Association
- Advanced Orthopedic Certification – American Physical Therapy Association
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- German – Beginner (A1)
Related Resume Guides
Advice for Writing Your Physical Therapist Resume
Dive into our advice section on how to write a resume and discover ways to highlight your therapeutic skills, passion for patient care, and dedication to helping others regain their mobility and strength.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary on a resume introduces you to hiring managers. It’s important for readers to decide between using a summary or an objective, depending on their experience and career goals.
The professional summary is a concise section (three to four sentences) that showcases your experience, skills, and achievements. It works best for experienced applicants who want to highlight their professional identity and value quickly. A well-crafted professional summary can immediately grab attention by emphasizing what you have accomplished.
In contrast, resume objectives are statements about your career goals, ideal for entry-level applicants, career changers, or those with employment gaps. While summaries focus on “what I’ve accomplished,” objectives emphasize “what I aim to contribute.”
Next, we’ll provide examples of both summaries and objectives tailored to different industries and levels of experience.
Physical therapist resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate from an accredited institution with comprehensive training in patient assessment and therapeutic exercise prescription. Experienced in clinical internships focusing on orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation. Holds a valid state license and is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS). Eager to contribute to patient care teams by delivering quality rehabilitation services.
Mid-career
Physical therapist with over seven years of experience providing rehabilitative services in hospital and outpatient settings. Extensive expertise in developing individualized treatment plans, performing manual therapy techniques, and improving athletic performance recovery. Licensed practitioner with a keen interest in sports injury management, known for personalized patient education and strong collaborative skills with healthcare professionals.
Experienced
Seasoned physical therapist specializing in complex pediatric cases and chronic pain management. Over 15 years of experience leading therapy teams, mentoring junior therapists, and implementing innovative treatment protocols that improved patient outcomes by over 30%. Certified in advanced neurological techniques and dedicated to integrating cutting-edge practices to facilitate holistic patient care.
Physical therapist resume objective examples
Entry-level
Dedicated physical therapy graduate with hands-on clinical experience and knowledge of therapeutic exercises seeking an entry-level position to contribute to patient recovery and mobility improvement. Eager to collaborate with healthcare teams in delivering effective treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
Career changer
Motivated professional transitioning into physical therapy, bringing transferable skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving from a background in education. Excited to support patients in achieving rehabilitation goals while learning and growing within the field.
Recent graduate
Detail-oriented recent physical therapy graduate eager to apply academic training and internship experience in assisting patients with rehabilitation strategies. Committed to building a supportive environment that fosters patient progress and long-term health improvements.
Use our Resume Builder to easily create a standout resume for your physical therapist career. It offers templates that make showcasing your skills and experience simple and effective.
Include relevant certifications and training
Listing certifications and training is important for a physical therapist because it shows your skills and knowledge in the field. These credentials can help employers see that you are qualified to treat patients safely and effectively.
In technical roles like physical therapy, having the right certifications means you understand the latest techniques and treatments. Creating a dedicated certifications section on your resume helps highlight these achievements clearly.
- Licensed Physical Therapist (PT)
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
- Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
- Neurodevelopmental Treatment Certification
Adding these certifications to your resume can show that you are ready to take on the challenges of being a physical therapist. Certifications prove you have taken extra steps to learn more about your profession. They also make it easier for employers to trust you with patient care.
Example of a certifications section
Licensed Physical Therapist
Issued by: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
Expires 2025
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Issued by: National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Issued 2021
Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Certification
Issued by: American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)
Expires 2026
CPR and AED Certified
Issued by: American Heart Association
Expires 2026
Choose a resume template with a clear content hierarchy, professional fonts and consistent formatting to ensure your application passes ATS.
Showcase your work experience
Relevant work experience on a resume helps employers see what you’ve done and how you can help them. Listing your past jobs in reverse chronological order makes it easy to follow your career path, showing growth and development over time. Start with your job title, followed by the employer’s name, location, and employment dates.
This structure keeps things clear and organized. Using action-oriented language shows you’re proactive and focused on results. For example, instead of saying “responsible for,” try “developed treatment plans” or “implemented therapy sessions.”
Highlighting measurable results from your previous roles helps paint a picture of your impact. Did you improve patient mobility or increase satisfaction scores? Numbers make accomplishments stand out more than general statements do.
When describing your core responsibilities as a physical therapist, focus on skills like assessing patient needs, designing personalized rehab programs, collaborating with healthcare teams, and educating patients about exercises. These details give potential employers insight into your practical abilities.
Employers look for specific examples that show how you’ll bring value to their team. Tailor each description to match the job you’re applying for as closely as possible. By presenting clear experiences with evidence of success, you increase your chances of catching an employer’s eye and landing an interview for that next important step in your career journey.
5 physical therapist work history bullet points
- Implemented individualized treatment plans for over 100 patients annually, resulting in a 25% improvement in mobility outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to reduce patient recovery time by an average of 15%, improving overall care quality.
- Educated patients and caregivers on therapeutic exercises, increasing adherence rates by 30%.
- Used advanced manual therapy techniques to alleviate chronic pain symptoms for 80% of treated patients.
- Streamlined clinical documentation processes, reducing administrative time by 20% and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
Highlight your clinical skills and patient care expertise using a resume format that focuses on experience, certifications, and education.
Match your resume with the job description
Tailoring resumes to job descriptions is essential because it helps job seekers stand out to employers and pass through ATS. These systems scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases from job postings, ensuring that only the most relevant applicants are considered.
Creating an ATS-friendly resume involves incorporating keywords and phrases that align with your skills. By doing this, you increase the chances of getting noticed by hiring managers who rely on these systems to filter applicants effectively.
To identify keywords from job postings, look for skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned repeatedly. Examples include “patient care,” “clinical assessments,” or “healthcare team collaboration.” Using exact phrases from the job description can be important.
Integrate these terms naturally into your resume content. For instance, instead of writing “provide high-quality patient care,” you might say “delivered high-quality patient care to improve overall health outcomes.” This ensures your resume matches the language used in the posting accurately.
When you customize your resume effectively, targeted resumes offer benefits like improved ATS compatibility. This strategy helps you get one step closer to securing your desired physical therapist role.
Ensure your resume passes through applicant tracking systems by using our ATS Resume Checker. It spots common problems and offers advice to make your resume better.
Salary Insights for Physical Therapists
Salary data is important for choosing where to work and live. More details are provided below.
Top 10 highest-paying states for physical therapists
Physical Therapists earn varying salaries across the United States, with a national average of $66,188. The table below highlights the states where physical therapists command the highest compensation.
Our salary information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. This official government data provides the most comprehensive and reliable salary information for physical therapists across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The figures presented here reflect the May 2025 dataset, which is the most recent available as of this publication.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Vermont | $68,040 |
| Alaska | $53,320 |
| Maine | $44,400 |
| Minnesota | $43,150 |
| North Carolina | $42,950 |
| New Jersey | $42,380 |
| New Mexico | $41,710 |
| Massachusetts | $41,940 |
| Washington | $40,730 |
| Hawaii | $40,050 |
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my physical therapist resume?
Yes, including a well-crafted cover letter with your physical therapist resume can make a significant impact.
A cover letter provides an opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and highlight specific skills, such as your expertise in patient rehabilitation or specialized techniques.
It’s a chance to demonstrate how your background aligns with the clinic’s needs.
For instance, if the clinic focuses on sports injuries or pediatric therapy, you can discuss your experience or passion related to these areas.
Consider using a Cover Letter Generator to tailor your message efficiently; it offers structured guidance that ensures you address critical points while maintaining professionalism.
How long should a physical therapist’s resume be?
For a physical therapist, a one-page resume is often sufficient if you’re early in your career or have limited experience. This format allows you to focus on key skills such as patient care, rehabilitation techniques, and any relevant certifications.
However, if you possess extensive work history or specialized training, opting for a two-page resume could be beneficial.
A two-page resume provides more space to detail your clinical experiences, advanced certifications like Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), or leadership roles in healthcare settings. Just ensure every detail is directly relevant to the role.
Consider exploring how long a resume should be for comprehensive guidance on choosing the right length based on your unique background and career stage.
How do you write a physical therapist resume with no experience?
When designing a resume with no experience for a physical therapist role, focus on highlighting your education, relevant skills, and any hands-on training that demonstrate your potential in the field. Follow these tips:
- Showcase your education and licensure: Start with detailing your degree in physical therapy, including the institution name, graduation date, and any academic achievements. Follow this with your PT licensure details and certifications like CPR or First Aid.
- Leverage clinical internships as experience: Highlight any internships or clinical placements. Describe specific duties you performed such as assisting in patient evaluations, developing treatment plans, or collaborating on therapeutic exercises.
- Highlight transferable skills: Include skills that are important for a physical therapist such as communication, problem-solving, empathy, and time management. If you’ve gained these through volunteer work or related fields like fitness coaching or healthcare assistance, make sure to mention them.
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