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Physical Therapist, PT
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another. In general, physiotherapists assess the client’s level of mobility, strength, endurance, and other physical abilities. From this they determine the impact of an illness or injury on physical function at work and play. They also:
Physiotherapists may:
Physiotherapists help clients in a variety of settings. At some practice sites, they may need to work weekdays, evenings, and weekend hours to accommodate clients’ schedules.
They may need to handle and transfer patients who have reduced mobility. They may need to raise and adjust heavy equipment. Providing direct client care often involves bending, stretching, standing, and reaching.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in operating electrotherapeutic and other mechanical equipment; and in implementing programs including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education, use of electro-therapeutic and other mechanical equipment and and hydro-therapy
Interest in co-ordinating, developing and implementing health promotion programs for patients, staff and the community; and in evaluating the effectiveness of and modifying treatment plans; may conduct research in physiotherapy
Interest in instructing patients in therapeutic procedures to be continued at home; may provide consulting or education services
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Physiotherapists need:
They should enjoy developing and implementing innovative programs to promote health. They should be comfortable dealing with people.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 149 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 14, 2023 and Nov 19, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Assess patients' physical abilities | 135 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Select appropriate exercises, apparatus and manipulations | 132 |
| Tasks: Plan physiotherapy programs | 128 |
| Tasks: Maintain clinical and progress reports | 120 |
| Tasks: Teach and/or supervise exercises to patients | 116 |
| Tasks: Confer with other health professionals | 114 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Licensure by provincial or territorial authorities | 105 |
| Attention to detail | 102 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 102 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 92 |
Registered physiotherapists require a master’s degree in physiotherapy from an accredited physiotherapy program at a recognized university.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Physiotherapists assess physical function. They diagnose and treat dysfunction caused by a pain, injury, disease, or condition. They help patients develop, maintain, and maximize independence and prevent dysfunction.
Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Physical Therapists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPTA) is mandatory. Only registered members may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Physiotherapist or Physical Therapist.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Physiotherapists may work in settings such as:
Physiotherapists may own their own clinics. They may have supervisory or management positions in large organizations. They may move into teaching and research positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Physiotherapists
2016 NOC: 3142
94.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $32.05 | $40.00 | $35.85 | $37.00 |
| Overall | $36.00 | $51.74 | $44.73 | $46.13 |
| Top | $45.00 | $62.50 | $49.90 | $49.65 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $78,316 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $78,280 |
| Public Administration | $95,238 |
Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) website: physiotherapy.ca
College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPTA) website: www.cpta.ab.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
