Physical Therapist Pay

Fort Myers vs Miami: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Fort Myers, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Myers, FL
$105,416
$50.68/hr
Miami, FL
$103,351
$49.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Myers, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$105,416$103,351
Hourly Rate$50.68$49.69
Entry Level (P10)$76,981$61,855
25th Percentile$90,001$84,120
75th Percentile$121,382$110,349
Top Earner (P90)$143,550$128,444
Total Employed234,950
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Myers ($105,416) and Miami ($103,351) physical therapist salaries.Fort MyersMiamiMedian Salary$105,416$103,351Entry Level (P10)$76,981$61,855Top Earner (P90)$143,550$128,444US Median $105,288

Verdict

Fort Myers, FL offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Miami.

The salary gap between Fort Myers and Miami is $2,065 (2.00%). Fort Myers's median is +0.12% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Myers spans $66,569,Miami spans $66,589. Miami has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Fort Myers
P10 (Entry)$76,981
P25$90,001
Median$105,416
P75$121,382
P90 (Top)$143,550
Miami
P10 (Entry)$61,855
P25$84,120
Median$103,351
P75$110,349
P90 (Top)$128,444

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Myers ($104,579 effective) pays 15.51% more than Miami ($90,536 effective).

Fort Myers
Nominal: $105,416
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $104,579
Miami
Nominal: $103,351
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $90,536

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Myers if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,416/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($143,550)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,579)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Larger job market (4,950 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Fort Myers grew 9.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Miami over the same period.

Fort Myers, FL

+9.8%

$93,731 (2024) → $102,885 (2025)

Miami, FL

+17.3%

$85,970 (2019) → $100,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Fort Myers or Miami?

Fort Myers has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,416/year, compared to Miami at $103,351/year — a difference of $2,065 (2.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Myers and Miami?

Fort Myers physical therapists earn $50.68/hr while Miami hygienists earn $49.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Myers to Miami as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Myers and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Myers = $104,579, Miami = $90,536), job availability (23 vs 4,950 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Fort Myers vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,981 in Fort Myers and $61,855 in Miami. The Fort Myers area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov