If you’re considering a career that combines physical therapy with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives, becoming a school physical therapist may be worth exploring.
School-based physical therapists work alongside educators, families, and other specialists to help students with disabilities participate more fully in their educational environments. And with continued demand for qualified physical therapists, the profession offers a promising career outlook.
But how much does a school physical therapist make? What education and credentials are required? And what should you know before searching for school physical therapist jobs?
In this guide, we’ll explore school physical therapist salary considerations, education and licensing requirements, career outlook, and what it’s really like to pursue physical therapy in a school setting in 2026.
A school physical therapist is a licensed physical therapist who works within an educational environment to help students access and participate in school.
Unlike physical therapy delivered in a hospital or outpatient clinic, school-based physical therapy focuses on skills that affect a student’s ability to function within their educational environment.
Depending on the student, a school physical therapist may help with:
Physical therapists may also collaborate with teachers, families, occupational therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, special educators, and other members of a student’s educational team.
For therapists who enjoy collaboration, pediatrics, problem-solving, and seeing how therapy translates into everyday life, the school environment can offer a rewarding career path.
One of the first questions prospective candidates often ask is: How much does a school physical therapist make?
Compensation varies significantly based on location, experience, employer, contract structure, schedule, and other factors. There isn’t one national salary figure that applies exclusively to physical therapists working in schools.
For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for physical therapists overall was $102,760 in May 2025. The lowest 10% of physical therapists earned less than $77,140, while the highest 10% earned more than $135,140.
A school physical therapist salary, however, may differ from these national figures because school-based positions can have different employment structures and schedules than positions in hospitals, private practices, home health, or outpatient settings.
Factors that can influence a school physical therapist salary include:
When evaluating an opportunity, candidates should therefore look beyond salary alone and consider the entire compensation package and working arrangement.
The right position isn’t just about compensation. It’s about finding a school community, schedule, and role that fit your professional goals.
Becoming a school physical therapist begins with meeting the education and licensing requirements for physical therapists.
Physical therapists entering the profession generally need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited physical therapy program. DPT programs typically take approximately three years to complete after undergraduate prerequisite requirements have been met.
Physical therapy education commonly covers areas such as:
Students also complete supervised clinical experiences as part of their professional education.
After completing the required degree, physical therapists must become licensed in the state where they intend to practice. Because licensing requirements can vary by state, candidates interested in school physical therapist jobs should verify the requirements of the state in which they plan to work.
A separate national “school physical therapist” certification is not generally required simply to work as a physical therapist in a school.
Instead, the primary requirements typically center on completing the appropriate professional education and maintaining state physical therapy licensure. Individual states, school systems, or employers may have additional requirements.
Depending on the position, those requirements could include:
Physical therapists may also pursue additional professional development in areas such as pediatrics, assistive technology, adaptive equipment, or other specialties relevant to school-based practice.
If you’re considering a particular position, always review the specific requirements associated with that state and employer.
Salary matters, but it isn’t the only reason physical therapists pursue careers in education.
School-based practice offers an opportunity to work with students in the environments where they learn, interact, and develop greater independence. A school physical therapist may have the opportunity to build long-term relationships with students and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams.
Depending on the employer and role, other potential advantages can include:
For many clinicians, helping a student participate more independently in their school day can be particularly fulfilling.
School-based physical therapy is different from many traditional clinical settings. If you’re exploring a career change, our team would be happy to help you understand what working in schools can look like.
The broader career outlook for physical therapists remains strong.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 12% from 2025 through 2035, which is much faster than the projected average for all occupations.
BLS projects approximately 13,400 physical therapist openings each year, on average, over that decade. Those openings are expected to result from both employment growth and the need to replace professionals who leave the occupation.
While these projections apply to physical therapists overall rather than specifically to school-based PTs, they demonstrate continued demand for qualified professionals within the field. For candidates considering school physical therapist jobs, that broader demand can make physical therapy an attractive long-term career path.
Once you’ve completed your education and licensing requirements, the next step is finding the right opportunity.
School physical therapist jobs may be available through:
Some therapists work directly for districts, while others work for organizations like Boothby Therapy Services that partner with schools to provide therapy and student support.
The best fit depends on your career priorities, preferred schedule, location, desired level of flexibility, and the type of student population you’d like to serve.
If you’ve found yourself typing “school physical therapist jobs near me” into Google, you’re probably ready to move from researching the profession to exploring actual opportunities.
Before applying, consider what you’re looking for beyond geography. Ask yourself:
Your search for school physical therapist jobs near me should ultimately be about finding the right professional fit—not simply the closest opening.
If you’re searching for school physical therapist jobs near me, Boothby Therapy Services works with schools and clinicians throughout New Hampshire and Maine.
Professionals interested in working with students may also consider careers in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, school psychology, and other related services. Compensation, educational requirements, licensing, responsibilities, and career opportunities vary significantly among these professions.
For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2025 median annual wage of $97,870 for Speech-Language Pathologists overall and $102,760 for physical therapists overall.
If you’re comparing school-based therapy career paths, you may also want to explore our guide to speech-language pathologist salary for additional information about education, compensation, and career outlook in that profession.
It’s understandable to focus on school physical therapist salary when evaluating potential positions, but compensation is only one part of a career decision. A great school-based position should also give you the resources and environment you need to do your best work.
Before accepting a position, consider asking about:
Two positions offering similar compensation can provide very different day-to-day experiences. The best opportunity is one that balances fair compensation with meaningful work, professional support, and a sustainable workload.
If you’re researching school physical therapist salary, qualifications, and career opportunities because you’re considering your next move, we’d love to help you explore what’s possible.
Boothby Therapy Services connects talented professionals with meaningful opportunities supporting students and school communities throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine.
We’re committed to more than filling positions. We want our clinicians to feel supported, valued, and equipped to make a difference. Whether you’re an experienced pediatric physical therapist or exploring school-based practice for the first time, our team can help you find an opportunity that aligns with your professional and personal goals.
A career as a school physical therapist offers an opportunity to combine clinical expertise with meaningful work that directly supports students’ participation and independence.
While school physical therapist salary varies based on location, experience, employer, and employment structure, the broader physical therapy profession continues to offer competitive compensation and strong projected employment growth.
If you’re wondering how much a school physical therapist makes, remember to consider more than a single national salary number. Look at compensation, benefits, schedule, caseload, professional support, and the overall working environment when comparing opportunities.
And if your search for school physical therapist jobs or school physical therapist jobs near me has brought you to Boothby Therapy Services, we’d love to help you discover where your career could take you next.
