Physical Therapist Resume Example
A physical therapist resume that shows how you examine, diagnose movement problems, set the plan of care and move patients toward function.
How to write a physical therapist resume that lands interviews
A great physical therapist resume isn't a list of responsibilities — it's a tight stack of quantified outcomes, written in language an ATS scores and a human reader believes. Below: the 8 bullets a strong candidate uses, the 4 they avoid, the keywords the ATS expects, the pay figures to anchor your negotiation against, and the FAQs we hear most often.
Sample bullets — good vs weak
Each “good” bullet leads with the outcome, includes a measurable result, and shows scope. The “weak” versions describe activities without showing impact. Use these as templates; rewrite them in your own voice with your real numbers.
✅ Bullets that get the call
- Examined and treated about 11 patients a day in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, building plans of care from history, movement testing and patient goals.
- Used validated outcome measures at the first and last visit, with patients treated for low back pain averaging a clear improvement in function scores by discharge.
- Designed a progressive running-return program for 15 post-ACL reconstruction athletes, with clear criteria for each stage before clearing them to sport.
- Directed two physical therapist assistants, reviewing their notes and updating plans of care at scheduled re-evaluations.
- Treated balance and dizziness disorders with canalith repositioning and vestibular exercises, with most patients reporting fewer episodes by visit six.
- Completed daily documentation and insurance-required progress reports on time, with no claims returned for missing medical-necessity language.
- Delivered a monthly in-service on lifting and desk ergonomics to 60 employees at a local business, which led to 9 referrals to the clinic.
- Referred patients to physicians when red flags appeared, including two findings that led to urgent medical work-ups.
❌ Bullets to rewrite
- Treated patients with injuries.
- Created exercise programs.
- Passionate about helping people move.
- Responsible for notes and billing.
ATS keywords to weave into your bullets
The four-component ATS rubric weights keyword density inside experience bullets more heavily than the keywords-only skills section. These are the 14+ keywords most often scored on a physical therapist resume — fold them into your bullets where they're honestly applicable.
Physical Therapist salary
Annual pay across the United States, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half of these workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile figures. Your offer will depend on the state, the employer and the shift.
| Annual pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77k |
| 25th percentile | $86k |
| Median | $103k |
| 75th percentile | $121k |
| 90th percentile | $135k |
Want a deeper salary breakdown by city + role + experience? See the full Physical Therapist salary guide →
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
- Listing modalities instead of outcomesFix: Show change in function: outcome-measure scores, return to sport or work, discharge destination.
- Hiding the supervisory roleFix: If you direct assistants or students, say how many and what you review.
- No setting or caseloadFix: State outpatient, acute, home health or skilled nursing, and patients per day.
- Vague credential sectionFix: Give the state, license type and expiration date.
ATS tips specific to physical therapist resumes
- Write 'Physical Therapist' and 'DPT' as they appear on your degree and license.
- Name your setting and populations in plain words, such as 'outpatient orthopedics' or 'inpatient rehab'.
- Include documentation systems and outcome measures in a Skills section.
- Keep a standard layout without tables so license and education sections are read correctly.
Frequently asked questions
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Start freeAbout this guideThe ApplyVita Career Team — The ApplyVita Career Team builds the resume-scoring and job-matching tools at the core of ApplyVita. Our guidance is grounded in the same four-component ATS rubric our product scores resumes on — content and impact, keyword match, formatting, and skills — and in current recruiter and hiring-manager practice. Every guide is checked against that rubric before it is published, and updated as hiring norms change.