Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Fort Myers, FL: $50.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Fort Myers, FL runs $50.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,416 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Fort Myers's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,245 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Myers, Florida, the physical therapist hourly pay is projected to reach $50.68 in 2026, slightly outpacing the national median of $50.62. This competitive rate allows physical therapists working part-time—like those who may clock in three days a week—to generate a substantial income while balancing their professional and personal lives. For example, part-time therapists would earn around $48,000 annually when working a 24-hour week. The hourly offering varies, with entry-level positions starting at $37.01 per hour and experienced professionals earning up to $69.02 per hour, positioning Fort Myers as an attractive locale for both new graduates and seasoned therapists across multiple practice settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits.
About the Fort Myers Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.01 | $296.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.27 | $346.15 |
| Median (P50) | $50.68 | $405.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.36 | $466.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.02 | $552.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Myers
Based on $50.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.68/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Myers, FL can expect to earn approximately $105,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,812. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Myers.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Myers
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,027.07 | $8,784 | $105,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,216.24 | $5,270 | $63,245 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $810.83 | $3,514 | $42,163 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Fort Myers) | $50.68 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Fort Myers, FL earn a median of $105,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.12% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $102,545.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.68/hr = $63,245/year (purchasing power: $62,743).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,408/year (purchasing power: $104,571).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Fort Myers (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Fort Myers grew 14.9% from $43.05/hr (2019) to $49.46/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Myers metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Fort Myers
Analyzing the earning potential further reveals diverse opportunities within the profession. Part-time therapists focusing on a standard three-day work schedule can expect to see significant differences in their annual income compared to full-time employees, largely due to the nature of per diem and contract work. For instance, per diem physical therapists often charge between $50 and $75 per hour, while those taking on travel contracts may see weekly earnings of $1,800 to $2,800, inclusive of stipends. In Fort Myers, the types of employers can also influence pay scales; outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer lower hourly rates compared to hospital systems, posing a trade-off between benefits and hourly wages. Physical therapists must carefully evaluate these factors, especially given the pressures from CMS on productivity within outpatient settings. Negotiating wages effectively can help therapists optimize their compensation packages while considering the balance of job satisfaction and financial reward, whether they lean toward higher pay without benefits or stable hourly pay with employer-provided healthcare coverage.
More salary data for Fort Myers, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Fort Myers in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Fort Myers. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Myers is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov