It seems everywhere you turn these days you hear more bad news about the U.S. job market, but a recent Forbes.com article provides a silver lining for at least one group of professionals: rehabilitation therapists.
Currently the demand for physical therapists and occupational therapists is “critically high,” and experts say the trend is likely to continue as the need for PT and OT services outweighs the number of therapy professionals presently working. Not only that, but because the average age of therapists is 57, analysts worry the shortage will increase as those individuals retire and fewer new therapists take their place.
Physical therapists in particular are “among the most secure professionals in the healthcare industry,” the article states, citing a report from online job search leader Monster.com, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from by the year 2018—significantly faster than the overall average. Similarly, employment of occupational therapists is expected to grow by 26 percent.
Currently the demand for physical therapists and occupational therapists is “critically high,” and experts say the trend is likely to continue as the need for PT and OT services outweighs the number of therapy professionals presently working. Not only that, but because the average age of therapists is 57, analysts worry the shortage will increase as those individuals retire and fewer new therapists take their place.
Physical therapists in particular are “among the most secure professionals in the healthcare industry,” the article states, citing a report from online job search leader Monster.com, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from by the year 2018—significantly faster than the overall average. Similarly, employment of occupational therapists is expected to grow by 26 percent.
