Healthcare

Physical Therapist Resume Example & Writing Guide 2026

Help patients recover from injuries and improve movement and function. This guide covers exactly what recruiters look for when hiring a physical therapist.

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Top Skills for a Physical Therapist Resume

These are the hard skills recruiters and ATS systems scan for in Physical Therapist resumes:

Manual therapy
Exercise prescription
Gait analysis
Therapeutic modalities
Patient evaluation
Rehabilitation
Documentation
Patient education

Physical Therapist Resume Summary Examples

Your resume summary is the first thing recruiters read. Here are three proven examples tailored for a physical therapist role:

Example 1

Results-driven Physical Therapist with Manual therapy, Exercise prescription, Gait analysis expertise. Passionate about help patients recover from injuries and improve movement and function and delivering measurable outcomes.

Example 2

Dedicated Physical Therapist skilled in Exercise prescription, Gait analysis, Therapeutic modalities. Known for empathy and consistent delivery of high-quality work in fast-paced environments.

Example 3

Experienced Physical Therapist combining strong Manual therapy and Exercise prescription skills with proven communication. Committed to continuous improvement and team success.

ATS Keywords for Physical Therapist

Include these keywords naturally throughout your resume to pass applicant tracking systems:

physical therapyrehabilitationmusculoskeletalorthopedicsports rehabfunctional mobilityManual therapyExercise prescriptionGait analysisTherapeutic modalities

Use our keyword analyzer to see how well your resume matches a job description.

How to Write Your Physical Therapist Experience Section

Lead with impact: Start each bullet with a strong action verb (Developed, Led, Optimized, Designed) and quantify results wherever possible.

Match the job description: Mirror the exact phrasing from job postings. If they say “physical therapy”, use that exact phrase.

Show progression: Demonstrate growth in responsibility and skills across roles. Highlight promotions or expanded scope.

Focus on Healthcare metrics: Use numbers that matter in your field — team size, budget managed, performance improvements, or projects delivered.

Keep it relevant: For a Physical Therapist role, emphasize Manual therapy, Exercise prescription, Gait analysis experience above all else.

Certifications That Boost Your Physical Therapist Resume

These certifications are highly valued by physical therapist employers:

  • ✓DPT License
  • ✓OCS
  • ✓CSCS

Physical Therapist Salary Range

The typical salary for a Physical Therapist ranges from $75k – $120k per year. See full salary guide →

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