Physical Therapist Pay

Miami vs North Lauderdale: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Miami, FL
$103,351
$49.69/hr
North Lauderdale, FL
$99,493
$47.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLNorth Lauderdale, FL
Median Salary$103,351$99,493
Hourly Rate$49.69$47.83
Entry Level (P10)$61,855$73,289
25th Percentile$84,120$87,266
75th Percentile$110,349$113,968
Top Earner (P90)$128,444$123,143
Total Employed4,9507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($103,351) and North Lauderdale ($99,493) physical therapist salaries.MiamiNorth LauderdaleMedian Salary$103,351$99,493Entry Level (P10)$61,855$73,289Top Earner (P90)$128,444$123,143US Median $105,288

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Lauderdale.

The salary gap between Miami and North Lauderdale is $3,858 (3.88%). Miami's median is -1.84% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $66,589,North Lauderdale spans $49,854. Miami has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$61,855
P25$84,120
Median$103,351
P75$110,349
P90 (Top)$128,444
North Lauderdale
P10 (Entry)$73,289
P25$87,266
Median$99,493
P75$113,968
P90 (Top)$123,143

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Lauderdale ($98,703 effective) pays 9.02% more than Miami ($90,536 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $103,351
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $90,536
North Lauderdale
Nominal: $99,493
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $98,703

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,351/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,444)
  • Larger job market (4,950 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose North Lauderdale if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,703)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Miami grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.8% growth in North Lauderdale over the same period.

Miami, FL

+17.3%

$85,970 (2019) → $100,870 (2025)

North Lauderdale, FL

+6.8%

$90,943 (2024) → $97,104 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Miami or North Lauderdale?

Miami has a higher median physical therapist salary at $103,351/year, compared to North Lauderdale at $99,493/year — a difference of $3,858 (3.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and North Lauderdale?

Miami physical therapists earn $49.69/hr while North Lauderdale hygienists earn $47.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to North Lauderdale as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and North Lauderdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $90,536, North Lauderdale = $98,703), job availability (4,950 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Miami vs North Lauderdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $61,855 in Miami and $73,289 in North Lauderdale. The North Lauderdale 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