Physical Therapist Salary in Florida: $103,380 (2026)
💡Quick Answer:Across Florida's 87 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $103,380/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123.Because Florida sits at BEA RPP 100.8 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $102,560 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sarasota ($105,564), Naples ($105,440), Hialeah ($105,304).
Florida physical therapist salary overview (2026)
$103,380
Avg Median Salary
$49.70
Avg Hourly Rate
16,658
Metro Employed
87
Cities
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in Florida is projected to be $103,380, which is slightly lower than the national median of $105,288, indicating a -1.8% difference. The highest-paying city in the state is Sarasota, with a salary of $108,161, while Panama City has the lowest average salary at $94,970, revealing a salary gap of $13,191. This disparity can be attributed to variations in the cost of living, healthcare demand, and local market conditions.
Florida has specific licensing requirements that require candidates to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy program and pass a state exam. The scope of practice laws in the state allow physical therapists to provide a wide range of services, contributing to demand driven by an aging population, increased focus on rehabilitation, and a general rise in health consciousness among residents.
With a projected annual growth rate of 2.46%, the job market for physical therapists in Florida appears stable, supported by a total employment figure of 16,658 in the field. Major cities like Naples ($108,034), Hialeah ($107,894), Port St. Lucie ($107,829), and North Port ($106,579) reveal strong opportunities, confirming the state’s ongoing need for skilled therapists.
Florida Physical Therapist Salary Range
Entry Level (10th %ile)
$74,236
avg across 87 cities
Median
$103,380
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$126,626
avg across 87 cities
Overall salary range in Florida: $55,093 (lowest entry-level) to $146,039 (highest top earner)
Florida vs National Average
Florida
$103,380
National Median
$105,288
Florida physical therapists earn 1.81% less than the national median ($-1,908/year difference).
Florida Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Florida range from $74,236 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,626 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,380. The Florida median is $1,908 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $49.70/hr. Approximately 16,658 physical therapists are employed across 87 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,658
2025 BLS Actual
$100,898
2026 Current Est.
$103,380
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Florida (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Year
Annual Salary
Status
2019
$87,658
Actual
2020
$87,448
Actual
2021
$90,516
Actual
2022
$93,242
Actual
2023
$97,200
Actual
2024
$98,004
Actual
2025
$100,898
Actual
2026(current)
$103,380
Estimated
2027
$105,923
Projected
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florida metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.1% from $87,658 (2019) to $100,898 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,265 (20.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florida 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.
How much do physical therapists make in Florida in 2026?
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The average median physical therapist salary in Florida is $103,380/year across 87 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $94,970 in Panama City to $108,161 in Sarasota. This makes Florida 1.81% below the national median of $105,288. The state employs approximately 16,658 physical therapists.
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Florida?
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Sarasota offers the highest physical therapist salary in Florida at $108,161/year ($52.00/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Sarasota ($108,161), Naples ($108,034), Hialeah ($107,894). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for physical therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed physical therapists.
How does Florida physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
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Florida's average physical therapist salary of $103,380 is 1.81% below the national median of $105,288 in 2026. The state employs approximately 16,658 physical therapists across 87 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Florida?
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Entry-level physical therapists (10th percentile) in Florida earn approximately $74,236/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $55,093 in lower-paying areas to $83,085 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.
How many physical therapists are employed in Florida?
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Florida employs approximately 16,658 physical therapists across 87 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Florida one of the larger employers of physical therapists nationally. Demand continues to grow as the physical therapy field expands and the population ages.
Which Florida city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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When adjusted for cost of living, Wildwood offers the highest purchasing power for physical therapists in Florida, with an adjusted salary of $119,475 (nominal: $102,060, CoL index: 85.424). This means your dollar goes 17% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Florida. State averages are employment-weighted across 87 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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).
