A physiotherapist -- or physical therapist, the term more commonly used in the United States -- helps patients recoup mobility and range of motion through physical rehabilitation and exercise. The patient is typically recovering from an injury, plagued by a disease such as arthritis or losing motion because of aging. Job opportunities are abundant in this field, earnings are very respectable, and the work offers opportunities for personal satisfaction.

Career Opportunities

According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for physiotherapists are expected to grow faster than the average job, which means more job choices for those in the profession. The increasing elderly population, coupled with longer life expectancy, will help fuel the industry. Advanced medical technology ensures more survivors from accidents and injuries, creating a need for restorative care. More health insurance companies are allowing reimbursement for physical therapy treatment. The BLS predicts a 36 percent increase in the number of jobs from 2012 to 2022.

Earnings

Wage outlook for physiotherapists is positive. They earned median annual salaries of $81,010 in May 2013, with the middle 50 percent making between $67,700 and $93,820. The top 10 percent of practitioners made $113,340. The salary ranges depended on the type of industry in which the physical therapist was involved. For therapists employed in home health care, the average salary was $90,190. The lowest annual wage was made by those working at health practitioner offices.

Work Environment

A wide variety of jobs and work environments is available to people employed as physiotherapists. Some jobs are related to the medical profession, and those therapists work in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. In the sports and recreation field, therapists work out of health clubs, spas or sports training facilities. Physiotherapists care for athletes on a professional team or on a college campus. Opportunities are available in home health care, where therapists travel to patients' homes during the work day. Physiotherapists are even employed in the research field or as occupational therapists in an industrial environment.

Personal Satisfaction

When you work with patients who are disabled or in severe pain, you are rewarded by helping them return to a normal lifestyle. Success can be seen, although sometimes in small increments, day by day. In the best-case scenario, a person who sought your help can return to his normal life as a completely rehabilitated individual. If you are an person who enjoys helping others, nothing is more satisfying.