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Advanced physiotherapist

Also called physiotherapy lead, physiotherapy manager, senior physiotherapist

Advanced physiotherapists are highly specialised. They make complex decisions and manage risks in unpredictable contexts and within a defined area. They may focus on a specific area of clinical practice, education, research or professional management.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 15 countries now. 37 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Health professionalsWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €1,800 (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Health professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Health professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Physiotherapists · ILO

What you'd do

Physiotherapists · ILO
  • Administering muscle, nerve, joint functional ability and other tests to identify and assess physical problems of patients
  • Establishing treatment goals with patients and designing treatment programmes to reduce physical pain, strengthen muscles, improve cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore joint mobility and improve balance and coordination
  • Developing, implementing and monitoring programmes and treatments using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infra-red light and ultrasound in the treatment of patients
  • Instructing patients and their families in procedures to be continued outside clinical settings
  • Recording information on patients' health status and responses to treatment in medical records-keeping systems, and sharing information with other health professionals as required to ensure continuing and comprehensive care
  • Developing and implementing programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders
  • Supervising the work of physiotherapy assistants and others
Apply context specific clinical competencesWork in multidisciplinary health teamsEnsure safety of healthcare usersDeal with emergency care situationsContribute to continuity of health care+ 59 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

15 EU countries are short of physiotherapists now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as health professionals in the EU
5.11m6.39m7.07m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
549,000 new jobs 1,888,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Health professionals37
All jobs29
Right now
15 of 27 countries report a shortage of physiotherapists, 1 a surplus.
Physiotherapists · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in medicine is the usual route.

Highest qualification of health professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 86%Vocational 12%General secondary 1%Basic schooling 1%
Fields that teach it
Medicine · Management and administration
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Health and welfare graduates in a matching job
81% in the EU

946 institutions in the EU offer health and welfare bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.28 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Recording information on patients' health status and responses to treatment in medical records-keeping systems, and sharing information with other health professionals as required to ensure continuing and comprehensive care0.56
Developing and implementing programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders0.35
Supervising the work of physiotherapy assistants and others0.32
Instructing patients and their families in procedures to be continued outside clinical settings0.23
Establishing treatment goals with patients and designing treatment programmes to reduce physical pain, strengthen muscles, improve cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore joint mobility and improve balance and coordination0.19
Developing, implementing and monitoring programmes and treatments using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infra-red light and ultrasound in the treatment of patients0.17
Administering muscle, nerve, joint functional ability and other tests to identify and assess physical problems of patients0.17

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for physiotherapists. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).