Physical Therapist Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $101,425 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $101,425/year (≈ $48.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $101,420 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for physical therapists in Palm Bay, Florida, is projected to be $101,425, slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range reflects the diverse employment landscape, with earnings spanning from $76,947 at the 10th percentile to $131,794 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Employment and Wage Statistics, illustrate how different practice settings can influence compensation. Specifically, outpatient chains and private practices tend to offer lower base salaries compared to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, yet they may include performance-based incentives that can enhance overall earnings. The competitive nature of the Palm Bay job market may drive therapists to choose non-traditional roles or specialize to improve their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,947 | $37.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,454 | $40.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,425 | $48.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,835 | $51.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,794 | $63.36 |
Median Salary Position
3.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,847 (2026 est.). At $101,425, the local median is 3.67% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Bay Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $101,425/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $102,553 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.67% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,425 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,420 — a 0% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,870
2025 BLS Actual
$98,990
2026 Current Est.
$101,425
2019–2027 Growth
+21.0%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,425 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,920 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.3% from $85,870 (2019) to $98,990 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,920 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,050 (21.02%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,947 – $83,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,454 – $101,425 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,425 – $106,835 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,835 – $131,794 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, there are currently 450 physical therapists employed, making the local job market robust, especially for those equipped with specialized skills or board certifications like OCS or SCS. With a cost-of-living index at 100.005, therapists should consider how this impacts their take-home pay and purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those operated by ATI or Athletico, may offer competitive salaries but often come with high productivity expectations that can vary widely, affecting the overall compensation a physical therapist can achieve. The disparity between low and high pay reflects differences in practice models, such as cash-pay versus insurance-based services, along with roles in travel PT, where premium rates may apply. Therapists looking to maximize their pay in Palm Bay might consider expanding their specializations, pursuing additional certifications, or exploring varied practice environments to capitalize on the trends influencing physical therapist pay in the region.
More salary data for Palm Bay, 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 $98,990 for physical therapistsin the Palm Bay 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