Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Palm Bay, FL: $48.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Palm Bay, FL runs $48.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,425 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Palm Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,853 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Palm Bay, Florida, will see a median hourly rate of $48.76, which lags slightly behind the national median of $50.62. This hourly pay structure opens up various opportunities for part-time and per-diem therapists considering the diverse settings they may work in, such as outpatient clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and sports performance centers. For those working just three days a week, their earnings will range from $37.00 for entry-level positions to about $63.36 for top earners, highlighting the potential financial acuity available in this profession as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.00 | $295.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.12 | $320.99 |
| Median (P50) | $48.76 | $390.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.36 | $410.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.36 | $506.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Bay
Based on $48.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.76/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $101,422 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,513. With a cost-of-living index of 100.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,950.43 | $8,452 | $101,422 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,170.26 | $5,071 | $60,853 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.17 | $3,381 | $40,569 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Palm Bay) | $48.76 |
| 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 Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $101,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.67% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.10% below the Florida state average of $102,553.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.76/hr = $60,853/year (purchasing power: $60,850).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,422/year (purchasing power: $101,417).
CoL index: 100.005 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Palm Bay grew 15.3% from $41.28/hr (2019) to $47.59/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.96/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 Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay
Consider a physical therapist in Palm Bay working on a part-time basis—estimated at 24 hours a week—for a yearly take-home of approximately $61,017, compared to a full-time peer who brings in roughly $101,425 annually. Per diem physical therapist pay in Palm Bay commonly ranges between $50 and $75, with travel PTs earning between $1,800 and $2,800 weekly, depending on the contractual arrangement. There's also a notable difference in hourly rates based on the type of employer; outpatient orthopedic clinics often pay less than hospital systems, which might offer better job security and benefits. Some therapists choose lower hourly rates within these organizations in exchange for health insurance and other benefits, while others opt for higher pay without health support in cash-based practices. For those considering their options, it’s prudent to negotiate based on the specific nuances of the Palm Bay market while factoring in total compensation rather than just hourly wages.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Palm Bay in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Palm Bay?
Are physical therapists in Palm Bay paid hourly or salary?
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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 Palm Bay. 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