Physical Therapist Salary in Gainesville, FL: $101,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Gainesville, FL earns a median $101,128/year (≈ $48.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.7), that paycheck buys what $104,543 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Gainesville, Florida, are projected to have a median annual figure of $101,128, which positions them slightly below the national average of $105,288. The salary range displays a wide spectrum where specialists at the lower end can earn around $82,634 while those at the upper echelon can make as much as $120,944. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects the increasing trend toward cash-pay models in sports and orthopedic therapy specialties, thus enhancing top-end pay potential. The job market for physical therapists in Gainesville appears competitive, emphasizing a growing demand for specialized services and an evolving landscape of employment opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,634 | $39.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,222 | $42.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,128 | $48.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,245 | $51.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,944 | $58.15 |
Median Salary Position
3.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, FL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,310 (2026 est.). At $101,128, the local median is 3.95% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gainesville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $101,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $102,564 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.95% less |
Physical Therapists in Gainesville, FL earn a median of $101,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.40% below the Florida state average of $102,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, FL has a cost-of-living index of 96.733 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,128 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,543 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,850
2025 BLS Actual
$98,700
2026 Current Est.
$101,128
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,616 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 22.1% from $80,850 (2019) to $98,700 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,616 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,766 (28.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,634 – $89,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,222 – $101,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,128 – $107,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,245 – $120,944 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Gainesville
With approximately 430 physical therapists currently working in Gainesville, the local job market remains vibrant, despite a cost-of-living index of 96.733, indicating a purchasing power slightly better than in many other U.S. cities. Among the employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico and smaller private practices often lead in compensation but may balance lower base salaries with productivity-based bonuses. The disparity in salaries can be influenced by various factors including expectations for patient throughput, board certifications (e.g., OCS, SCS), and the choice between a cash-pay or insurance reimbursement practice model. For those seeking to maximize physical therapist pay in Gainesville, developing specialized skills through certifications, opting for higher-paying facilities, and understanding the dynamics of productivity and patient management are advisable strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Gainesville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,700 for physical therapistsin the Gainesville metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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