Premier big leagues in all sports have been evolving ever since their inception. With new technology and the wonders of modern science, there have been various new job positions and openings in the leagues that no one would have thought of two decades ago! Here, let’s know about NFL Physical Therapist Salary.
The most prominent job that comes to everyone’s mind is the Physical Therapist, primarily at the NFL because of the physical brawling aspect of it. Without a proper Physical Therapist, things may turn fatal. The therapist ensures the best possible treatment and precautions of all the team’s players, these include the reserves as well.
With the demand for therapists increasing, one may wonder “How much do they get paid?” or you may be an aspiring Physical Therapist, whoever you may be, we have cleared all your queries in this article!
Salary of the Physical Therapists at NFL
With the rise in demand for Physical Therapists in sports, they are paid very handsomely for all their efforts and hardships, assuring only the best service for the team members. On average, the annual salary of a Physical Therapist starts from $78,342. This is a hefty upgrade over recent years, as in 2012, the average annual salary of a Physical Therapist at the NFL was $53.249.
The average starting salary for an entry-level or low-experienced Physical Therapist can range anywhere from $57,353 to $65,812 annually. The assistant Therapist is provided with an average annual salary of $49,256. Bonuses and incentives are also provided annually along with a hike in the salary. The salaries are just estimated, they may vary, and are subject to change in the future.
Roles of a Physical Therapist at NFL
The Physical Therapist has lots of duties to perform daily, including weight check-ins, examining all the players, and prescribing them certain remedies or exercises for their pain and injuries. Other responsibilities of the therapists include:
- Revisiting the player’s medical history.
- Taking notes and documenting the progress of the players.
- Creating personalized plans for the players.
- Diagnosing the patients.
- Educating the players about their injury or healing process.
How to become a Physical Therapist
The process of becoming a Physical Therapist is a tad bit long and tedious, but if you are relentless enough then you may push through and achieve it eventually.
Bachelor’s Degree
Some universities provide a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy, but it may not be available in your state. You may not be interested in pursuing Physical Therapy earlier in your academic career, but fret not, you may still pursue Masters and then further Doctorate if you have graduated in any one of the following disciplines:
- Physiology
- Kinesiology
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Anatomy
- Biomechanics
- Biology
Along with the aforementioned disciplines, having various other related skills like sociology, communication skills, ethics, clinical reasoning and much more can play an important role in shaping your potential career as a Physical Therapist.
Master’s Degree
After you graduate with a Bachelor’s in any one of the above sciences then you may be eligible to pursue a Master’s, below we have a list of Master’s that you can major in for a career in Physical Therapy.
- Physiology
- Physics
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
- Anatomy
A Master’s Degree may take up anywhere from 1 to 3 years.
Doctorate in Physical Training (DPT)
After your Master’s you may volunteer or intern under a licensed therapist for a short durations, this will help you gain hands-on experience in the field of Physical Therapy. You may gain experience in the field of Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, and much more. You may be able to apply for Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT), the average duration of DPT is 3 years. You will not only be able to get academic experience but hands on-field experience is also a big advantage of the Doctorate.
You will be able to understand the in-depth meaning and functionality of not only the anatomy but the therapeutic side behind it. You will be well versed in the fields of Excercise Physiology, Pathology, Sociology, Management Sciences, Musculoskeletal system, and much more. All states require you to pass the NPTE, which has 250 questions, to obtain a physical therapy license.
Physical Therapy Fellowship
After your license, you may consider a Fellowship program because it will further enhance your experience and sharpen your skillset. A Fellowship is awarded to licensed therapists to focus on a special area of education and research.
After all the certification and fellowships, you can establish your clinic or work in a private clinic or a university, or somewhere like the NFL!
Conclusion
With the increased awareness and demand for an excellent Physical Therapist, the NFL is making sure to pay them for all their honest work and hardships, without which the players may experience fatal pain or life-threatening injuries. The NFL not only provides the therapists with excellent salaries, but they also make sure to provide additional bonuses and perks making them more enthusiastic about their work.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) about salaries of Physical Therapists at NFL
We have covered all the relevant information in the article, but sometimes the readers may have some queries or doubts, we don’t want them to remain unanswered!
Q. I have recently graduated with my doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT), will I be able to work at NFL? I do not have much experience.
A. Though the NFL actively seeks out trained and licensed professionals with years of experience, since you have a DPT, you may be able to apply for the assistant Physical Therapist position.
Q. Will I be provided any benefits on top of my base salary?
A. Yes, health insurance along with other perks like Paid Time Off (PTO), Maternity leave, etc is provided by the NFL.
Q. How often do Physical Therapists get a raise in the NFL?
A. Since the NFL is one of the world’s biggest sports leagues, the Physical Therapist experience rises very often.
Q. Does the NFL provide retirement plans for Physical Therapists?
A. Yes, the retirement plans are included under the employee benefits, the plan may include 401k, Roth IRA, Roth Mega Backdoor IRA.
