Pediatric physical therapists play a vital role in helping children with physical disabilities or injuries to improve their mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. As a pediatric physical therapist, it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques, technologies, and best practices to provide the best possible care for your patients. In addition to the personal fulfillment that comes with this career, there are several ways to boost your salary and take your career to the next level. Here, we'll explore 12 pediatric physical therapist salary boosters that can help you increase your earning potential and advance your career.
Understanding the Basics of Pediatric Physical Therapist Salaries
Pediatric physical therapists are in high demand, and their salaries reflect this. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for physical therapists, including those who work with pediatric patients, was $91,440 in May 2020. However, salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and type of employer. For example, pediatric physical therapists working in hospitals or outpatient clinics may earn higher salaries than those working in schools or private practices.
Top 12 Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary Boosters
Here are 12 ways to boost your salary as a pediatric physical therapist:
- Pursue a Specialty Certification: Obtaining a specialty certification, such as the Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) certification, can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field, leading to higher salaries and greater job opportunities.
- Gain Experience: The more experience you have, the higher your salary is likely to be. Experienced pediatric physical therapists can earn salaries upwards of $100,000 or more per year.
- Develop Strong Leadership Skills: Taking on leadership roles, such as supervising other therapists or managing a department, can lead to higher salaries and greater career advancement opportunities.
- Pursue a Doctoral Degree: While a master’s degree is typically required for physical therapists, pursuing a doctoral degree, such as a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, can lead to higher salaries and greater career opportunities.
- Stay Up-to-Date with Continuing Education: Continuing education is essential for staying current with the latest techniques and technologies in pediatric physical therapy. This can include attending conferences, workshops, and online courses to enhance your skills and knowledge.
- Network and Build Relationships: Building relationships with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, can lead to referrals and job opportunities.
- Consider Working in a High-Demand Location: Pediatric physical therapists who work in urban areas or areas with high demand for their services may earn higher salaries than those working in rural areas or areas with lower demand.
- Develop a Niche Expertise: Developing a niche expertise, such as working with children with autism or cerebral palsy, can lead to higher salaries and greater job opportunities.
- Join Professional Organizations: Joining professional organizations, such as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), can provide access to continuing education opportunities, networking events, and job listings.
- Pursue a Residency or Fellowship: Pursuing a residency or fellowship program can provide advanced training and education, leading to higher salaries and greater career opportunities.
- Consider Working in a Variety of Settings: Pediatric physical therapists who work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and private practices, may have greater job opportunities and higher salaries than those who work in a single setting.
- Stay Current with the Latest Technologies: Staying current with the latest technologies, including electronic medical records and telehealth platforms, can enhance your skills and knowledge, leading to higher salaries and greater career opportunities.
| Salary Booster | Average Salary Increase |
|---|---|
| Pursuing a Specialty Certification | 10-20% |
| Gaining Experience | 5-15% per year |
| Developing Strong Leadership Skills | 15-30% |
| Pursuing a Doctoral Degree | 10-20% |
| Staying Up-to-Date with Continuing Education | 5-10% |
Real-World Examples of Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary Boosters
For example, a pediatric physical therapist who works in a hospital setting and has 5 years of experience may earn a salary of 85,000 per year. However, if they pursue a specialty certification and gain an additional 2 years of experience, their salary may increase to 100,000 per year. Similarly, a pediatric physical therapist who develops strong leadership skills and takes on a supervisory role may earn a salary of $120,000 per year.
What is the average salary for a pediatric physical therapist?
+The average salary for a pediatric physical therapist is around $91,440 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and type of employer.
How can I increase my salary as a pediatric physical therapist?
+There are several ways to increase your salary as a pediatric physical therapist, including pursuing a specialty certification, gaining experience, developing strong leadership skills, and staying up-to-date with continuing education. Additionally, considering working in a high-demand location, developing a niche expertise, and joining professional organizations can also lead to higher salaries and greater career opportunities.
In conclusion, pediatric physical therapists play a vital role in helping children with physical disabilities or injuries to improve their mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. By pursuing these 12 salary boosters, pediatric physical therapists can increase their earning potential and advance their careers. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, there are many ways to boost your salary and take your career to the next level.
