Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Ocala, FL: $46.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Ocala, FL runs $46.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,446 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Ocala's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,861 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

For 2026, physical therapist hourly pay in Ocala, Florida is projected at $46.36, notably below the national median of $50.62. This rate provides a competitive wage for those working in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and home health environments. A part-time therapist, working three days a week, can earn a substantial income depending on their hours, with entry-level positions starting around $26.49 per hour, while seasoned professionals at the 90th percentile can reach as high as $57.97. Such dynamics offer attractive flexibility for per diem physical therapists in Ocala, allowing them to select their schedules while earning competitive wages based on their experience and work setting, as indicated by the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.49 | $211.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.55 | $308.36 |
| Median (P50) | $46.36 | $370.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.93 | $399.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.97 | $463.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ocala
Based on $46.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.36/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ocala, FL can expect to earn approximately $96,435 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,636. With a cost-of-living index of 95.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ocala.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ocala
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,854.53 | $8,036 | $96,435 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,112.72 | $4,822 | $57,861 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $741.81 | $3,215 | $38,574 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Ocala) | $46.36 |
| 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 Ocala, FL earn a median of $96,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.40% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.00% below the Florida state average of $102,602.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.36/hr = $57,861/year (purchasing power: $60,757).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,435/year (purchasing power: $101,261).
CoL index: 95.234 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Ocala (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Ocala grew 9.1% from $41.48/hr (2019) to $45.25/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.50/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 Ocala 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 Ocala
Taking into account the potential for part-time work in Ocala, a physical therapist working 24 hours a week could see an annual income of approximately $58,319, which still provides a solid return compared to some full-time roles. The reality for per diem physical therapists varies significantly, with pay rates commonly ranging from $50 to $75 an hour for agency work, which can lead to a lucrative salary on a flexible schedule. Specialty areas such as sports medicine or orthopedics may allow cash-pay practitioners in high-cost areas to bill clients directly for over $150 per hour. Additionally, while outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide lower hourly wages, benefits like health insurance and retirement plans can be worthwhile for many. Therapists seeking hourly positions should negotiate their packages carefully, weighing the advantages of benefits against higher hourly wages offered in environments without such coverage, especially in Ocala’s competitive physical therapy landscape.
More salary data for Ocala, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Ocala 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 Ocala. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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