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APTRecruiting

Physical therapist recruiting

Physical therapist recruiters for hospitals, SNFs, home health, outpatient and schools

Physical therapists carry the heaviest caseloads in most rehab departments, and a vacant PT seat shows up in missed visits and lost revenue within weeks. APT Recruiting works as a physical therapy staffing agency for roles: outpatient orthopedics, acute and inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, home health and pediatrics, along with PTAs and the directors of rehab who lead them. Every candidate is screened for the setting, the caseload and the productivity expectation before you see a name.

National workforce

Physical therapists in the United States

Individual providers with an active practice address, summed across 51 states and DC, and the federal wage estimate for the profession.

267,384

Physical therapists enrolled

61,619

Physical therapist assistants enrolled

12,468

New PTs, last 12 months

$105,280

PT mean annual wage

median $102,760

Physical therapist assistants average $68,730 a year nationally across 112,430 employed.

Sources: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain); NPPES provider enumeration dates, October 2026 file; BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates.

Where they are

The ten largest PT markets by state

Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants combined. Pick a state for pay, employers and licensure-compact status.
#StatePTs + PTAsPT mean wage
1California26,641$122,580
2New York24,354$102,740
3Texas21,047$109,270
4Florida20,717$98,510
5Pennsylvania15,974$101,650
6Illinois14,892$109,080
7Michigan11,735$100,630
8New Jersey10,911$114,550
9North Carolina10,786$100,010
10Ohio10,464$102,740

All 50 states and DC →

Settings

PT roles we fill, by setting

The same license means a different job in each. Pick the setting for how we screen for it.

For employers

Hiring? Physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiting, run by a clinician.

Employers find us under a lot of names: physical therapy staffing agency, SLP recruiter, OT headhunter, rehab staffing, therapy recruiting firm. What we do is the same under any of them. We work the whole market for PTs, OTs, SLPs and audiologists, screen each one with a licensed speech-language pathologist's eye for the setting and the caseload, and bring you clinicians who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization.

Engagement model

Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.

Speed to first candidates

Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.

Guarantee

Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.

Questions hiring managers and directors of rehab ask us

How does a therapy search with APT Recruiting work?+

It starts with a short call to take the brief: the discipline, the setting, the caseload and productivity expectations, the schedule and the pay range. Because APT is run by a licensed speech-language pathologist, the screen covers clinical fit, not just a license check. We then work your market for PTs, OTs, SLPs or audiologists who match, confirm interest, and send you candidates who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization. Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.

Do you work on contingency or retained?+

Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.

What does it cost to hire through a therapy recruiter?+

Agreed in writing before you see a candidate's details. Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.

Which roles and settings do you cover?+

Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including PTAs, COTAs and SLPAs, plus directors of rehab and other therapy leadership. Settings include hospitals and acute rehab, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics, schools and pediatrics, and telehealth. We also recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Tell us about the role

Or email molly@aptrecruiting.com. Molly reads every brief herself.

Molly Salinas

Reviewed by a licensed SLP

Molly Salinas, M.S., CCC-SLP

The national figures on this page are drawn from public federal sources and reviewed by Molly, a licensed speech-language pathologist who has worked across healthcare settings and founded APT Recruiting. She has recruited therapists for 3 years and works from Austin, Texas. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

About Molly and APT Recruiting →

Need a physical therapist?

Tell us the setting, the caseload and the market. A licensed clinician reads every brief.