Jobs Similar to Physical Therapists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to physical therapists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Occupational Therapists, Nurse Midwives and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians.
Physical Therapists: $102,760 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Physical Therapists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Occupational TherapistsSame group | 85% | $100,330−2% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Nurse MidwivesSame group | 84% | $134,040+30% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 84% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 4 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $256,560+150% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Midwives | 83% | $65,790Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Athletic Trainers | 83% | $62,520−39% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 83% | $132,300+29% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 83% | $292,910+185% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 83% | $59,460−42% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 83% | $135,880+32% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | AcupuncturistsSame group | 82% | $76,040−26% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Pediatricians, GeneralSame group | 82% | $210,040+104% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | ChiropractorsSame group | 82% | $79,200−23% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 82% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | OrthoptistsSame group | 82% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 18 | HospitalistsSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Family Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $244,180+138% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $335,550+227% | Graduate degree |
- 1Occupational Therapists
85% similar · $100,330 (−2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Nurse Midwives
84% similar · $134,040 (+30%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
84% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4General Internal Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $256,560 (+150%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Midwives
83% similar · $65,790 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 6Athletic Trainers
83% similar · $62,520 (−39%) · Graduate degree
- 7Nurse Practitioners
83% similar · $132,300 (+29%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Sports Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Obstetricians and Gynecologists
83% similar · $292,910 (+185%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Exercise Physiologists
83% similar · $59,460 (−42%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Naturopathic Physicians
83% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Physician Assistants
83% similar · $135,880 (+32%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Acupuncturists
82% similar · $76,040 (−26%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Pediatricians, General
82% similar · $210,040 (+104%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Chiropractors
82% similar · $79,200 (−23%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Acute Care Nurses
82% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Orthoptists
82% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Hospitalists
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Family Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $244,180 (+138%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Emergency Medicine Physicians
81% similar · $335,550 (+227%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than physical therapists.
- Emergency Medicine Physicians81% similar · $335,550 (+227%)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists83% similar · $292,910 (+185%)
- General Internal Medicine Physicians83% similar · $256,560 (+150%)
- Family Medicine Physicians82% similar · $244,180 (+138%)
- Pediatricians, General82% similar · $210,040 (+104%)
- Physician Assistants83% similar · $135,880 (+32%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for physical therapists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where physical therapists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Athletic Trainers (90)
- Midwives (83)
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary (80)
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary (79)
- Clinical Neuropsychologists (78)
- Neuropsychologists (77)
- Orthotists and Prosthetists (77)
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (77)
- Healthcare Social Workers (76)
- Genetic Counselors (75)
Questions about jobs like physical therapists
What jobs are most similar to physical therapists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Occupational Therapists (85% similar), Nurse Midwives (84% similar), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians (84% similar), General Internal Medicine Physicians (83% similar) and Midwives (83% similar).
Which jobs like physical therapists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +227%; usually a graduate degree), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($292,910, +185%; usually a graduate degree) and General Internal Medicine Physicians ($256,560, +150%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with physical therapists ($102,760). Without more preparation than physical therapists usually need: Emergency Medicine Physicians, Obstetricians and Gynecologists and General Internal Medicine Physicians.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.