Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, FL: $48.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in St. Cloud, FL runs $48.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,245 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,150 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Cloud, Florida, the projected physical therapist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $48.20, which is slightly below the national median of $50.62. This competitive hourly rate reflects the demand for physical therapists within various settings, ranging from outpatient clinics and hospital rehabilitation units to skilled nursing facilities and sports performance centers. For part-time professionals or those working per-diem, the earnings can vary significantly depending on the number of shifts completed; a three-day work week can yield substantial income, especially considering the hourly range extends from $37.25 for entry-level positions to over $63.32 for top earners. These figures are derived from comprehensive estimates based on 2025 BLS data projections and indicate a stable yet nuanced compensation landscape for physical therapy workers in the area.
About the St. Cloud 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) | $37.25 | $298.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.89 | $327.13 |
| Median (P50) | $48.20 | $385.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.11 | $456.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.32 | $506.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $48.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.20/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, FL can expect to earn approximately $100,250 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,837. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,927.89 | $8,354 | $100,250 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,156.73 | $5,013 | $60,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $771.15 | $3,342 | $40,100 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (St. Cloud) | $48.20 |
| 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 St. Cloud, FL earn a median of $100,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.79% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $102,605.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.20/hr = $60,150/year (purchasing power: $59,673).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,250/year (purchasing power: $99,455).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in St. Cloud grew 14.9% from $40.94/hr (2019) to $47.04/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.38/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Focusing on part-time work, a physical therapist in St. Cloud who works 24 hours a week could see an annual income near $59,606 before taxes, which offers a decent living but pales in comparison to full-time counterparts earning an annualized amount of $100,245. The per diem opportunities paint an even broader picture; many physical therapists opt for this flexible model, often billing anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour, while travel positions can command weekly earnings ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. In St. Cloud, hourly rates can vary based on the employer type—outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico may offer lower starting pay compared to skilled nursing and hospital settings that might provide more benefits but with potentially reduced hourly rates. A careful evaluation of these factors is vital, as some therapists prioritize health insurance and job stability over higher hourly wages without benefits. Those considering per diem physical therapist pay in St. Cloud should also remember that negotiating for better terms—whether it's an hourly rate increase or a flexible schedule—is essential to maximizing their earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for St. Cloud, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud. 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 St. Cloud 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