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Evidence-backed analysis of how AI automation affects Physical Therapists. Scores derived from published research — McKinsey, BLS, Stack Overflow, and industry data.
Automation Risk
Defensive Strength
Estimated Runway
6+ YearsMarket Context
Physical therapy is among the most automation-resistant professions due to the irreducible requirement for hands-on manual therapy, physical assessment, and therapeutic alliance. The BLS projects 17% employment growth for physical therapists through 2032 — far above the national average — driven by ageing Baby Boomer demographics and increased sports medicine demand. AI is augmenting PT practice through motion analysis software (Dorsavi, Vald Performance) and exercise prescription tools, but these function as adjuncts that enable PTs to serve more patients. Telehealth PT expanded post-pandemic but complemented rather than replaced in-person care. No credible near-term technology pathway exists to automate skilled manual therapy.
Source: Based on BLS Physical Therapists Occupational Outlook (2025), APTA Workforce Analysis (2025), and Vald Performance market data (2025).
Task Breakdown — Time Allocation vs. Vulnerability
Highest Exposure Areas
Hands-On Technical Execution
41% of code written in 2025 is AI-generated. The defensible technical work is system architecture, novel problem-solving, and integration of AI tools — not execution of known patterns. Standard technical execution is being absorbed at an accelerating rate.
Customer / Stakeholder Communication
AI agents are now handling routine customer communication autonomously. The protection in this task comes from novel relationship context and trust — which erodes when your client interactions become standardised or when AI gains sufficient context to replicate the pattern.
Writing / Summarising / Documentation
GPT-5 Deep Research and Claude already produce publication-quality reports, emails, and documentation. By 2027, AI writing assistants will handle first-draft creation for virtually all standard business documents with minimal human input.
Strongest Defenses
Relationship Management / Trust Building
This is the false moat most people rely on. Relationship trust is real protection today — it erodes when: (a) clients become comfortable trusting AI-mediated interactions, (b) your relationship context becomes standardisable, or (c) your firm deploys AI account management tools that clients prefer for speed.
Hands-On Technical Execution
41% of code written in 2025 is AI-generated. The defensible technical work is system architecture, novel problem-solving, and integration of AI tools — not execution of known patterns. Standard technical execution is being absorbed at an accelerating rate.
Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
Live signals
Real-time AI signals affecting this role
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This is the average. What about you?
The average Physical Therapist scores 12/100 risk. But your specific role, environment, and task allocation could be higher or lower. Get your personalised score in ~4 minutes.
This remains one of the most defensible task categories — AI struggles with genuine novelty and accountability. The erosion condition: as AI decision-support tools become standard, the bar for what counts as 'genuine uncertainty' rises, and roles that mostly execute defined playbooks lose this protection.