Physical Therapists
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 29-1123.00
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.017
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.28
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 20 hidden tasks24 rated tasks · 7 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (29.2%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.29-1123.00 | 0.022581.9 | 0.002357.9 |
Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.29-1123.00 | 0.003312.1 | —0 |
Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.29-1123.00 | 0.00176.0 | —0 |
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit. | —0 | 0.001742.1 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.O*NET Task ID 370 | 1.0 |
Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.O*NET Task ID 374 | 1.0 |
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.O*NET Task ID 364 | 0.5 |
Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.O*NET Task ID 369 | 0.5 |
Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.O*NET Task ID 381 | 0.5 |
Refer clients to community resources or services.O*NET Task ID 382 | 0.5 |
Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.O*NET Task ID 383 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (24)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients. | Core |
| Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention. | Core |
| Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit. | Core |
| Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling. | Core |
| Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home. | Core |
| Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program. | Core |
| Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required. | Core |
| Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer. | Core |
| Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions. | Core |
| Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals. | Core |
| Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data. | Core |
| Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation. | Core |
| Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives. | Core |
| Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel. | Core |
| Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines. | Core |
| Teach physical therapy students or those in other health professions. | Core |
| Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist. | Core |
| Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health. | Core |
| Refer clients to community resources or services. | Core |
| Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice. | Core |
| Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy. | Core |
| Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices. | Core |
| Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy. | Core |
| Direct group rehabilitation activities. | Supplemental |
0.11/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients. | E0 none |
| Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention. | E0 none |
| Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit. | E0 none |
| Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data. | E0 none |
| Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist. | E0 none |
| Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices. | E0 none |
| Direct group rehabilitation activities. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 284K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 318K
- Change (2025–35)
- +11.9%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $102,760
- Typical education needed for entry
- Doctoral or professional degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24661 | 물리치료사 | Same scope | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2264Physiotherapists
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Physiotherapists assess, plan and implement rehabilitative programmes that improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement ability, relieve pain syndromes, and treat or prevent physical challenges associated with injuries, diseases and other impairments. They apply a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques.
Tasks
- (a) administering muscle, nerve, joint functional ability and other tests to identify and assess physical problems of patients;
- (b) establishing treatment goals with patients and designing treatment programmes to reduce physical pain, strengthen muscles, improve cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore joint mobility and improve balance and coordination;
- (c) developing, implementing and monitoring programmes and treatments using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infra-red light and ultrasound in the treatment of patients;
- (d) instructing patients and their families in procedures to be continued outside clinical settings;
- (e) recording information on patients' health status and responses to treatment in medical records-keeping systems, and sharing information with other health professionals as required to ensure continuing and comprehensive care;
- (f) developing and implementing programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders;
- (g) supervising the work of physiotherapy assistants and others.
Example occupations
Geriatric physical therapist · Manipulative therapist · Orthopaedic physical therapist · Paediatric physical therapist · Physical therapist · Physiotherapist
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- physiotherapistESCO 2264.3Same scope
Physiotherapists are autonomous health professionals who are responsible for developing, maintaining or restoring motor function and movement throughout the lifespan using evidence-based practice. They relieve pain and treat or prevent physical conditions associated with injury, disease or other impairments. Physiotherapists empower patients and their carers to manage the condition outside clinical settings. They work within their scope of practice and their professional Code of Conduct.
- advanced physiotherapistESCO 2264.1This occupation is broader
Advanced physiotherapists are highly specialised. They make complex decisions and manage risks in unpredictable contexts and within a defined area. They may focus on a specific area of clinical practice, education, research or professional management.
- physiotherapy assistantESCO 3255.4This occupation is broader
Physiotherapy assistants work under supervision, within defined contexts using agreed treatment protocols and procedures such as collecting client data and maintaining the equipment required in physiotherapy interventions. The overall responsibility is retained by the delegating professional.
- sport therapistESCO 3423.2.4This occupation is broader
Sport therapists program and supervise rehabilitation exercises for individuals and groups. They work with individuals that have chronic health conditions or are at high risk of developing them. They communicate with medical and healthcare professionals about participants' conditions using correct medical terminology, and with an understanding of the standard treatment options for an individual’s condition. Sport therapists take a holistic approach to the wellness of their clients that includes advising on lifestyle, food or time management. They do not have a medical background and do not require medical qualifications.
- kinesiologistESCO 2269.3Overlapping, not the same
Kinesiologists study and research the movement of the body; its muscles and parts. They analyse and use scientific data and methods to improve body motion, generally in humans, through an understanding of such areas as physiology, kinetics, neurology, and biology. They recognise the effects that some factors, such as body condition, have on motion and develop solutions to improve overall mechanics and mobility.
- osteopathESCO 3259.4Overlapping, not the same
Osteopaths provide therapeutic treatment of disorders in the musculoskeletal system to patients with physical issues such as back pain, joint pain and digestive disorders. They mainly use manipulation of the body tissues, touch, stretching and massage techniques to relieve the patients` pain and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| J1404 | Kinésithérapeute | Same scopeprovisional |
| J1413 | Physiothérapeute | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| J1408 | Ostéopathe | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2152 | Fisioterapeutas | Same scopeprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 81713 | Berufe in der Physiotherapie - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Same scopeprovisional |
| 81714 | Berufe in der Physiotherapie - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 81794 | Führungskräfte - Nicht ärztliche Therapie und Heilkunde | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 144 | 理学療法士，作業療法士 | Same scope |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources