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Physical Therapists

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 1,011 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Less exposedband 2 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 29% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  3. Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  5. Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. 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.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Respiratory Therapists

    Similar work
    +7% pay517 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 7% more—$110,829 vs your $103,479 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Education and Training
    • Psychology
    • Oral Expression

    New skills to build

    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Operation and Control
  • Radiation Therapists

    Somewhat similar work
    +29% pay64 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 29% more—$133,250 vs your $103,479 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • English Language
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Reaction Time