Physical Therapist Salary in Panama City, FL: $94,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Panama City, FL earns a median $94,970/year (≈ $45.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Panama City's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $97,609 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Panama City, the 2026 median annual salary for physical therapists is projected to be $94,970, which is notably below the national median of $105,288. Salaries in the region range from $66,271 at the 10th percentile to $122,071 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse employment landscape. The local market primarily consists of outpatient clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities, each offering varying compensation structures that influence earning potential. Among these, outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI and Athletico may provide lower base salaries but often include bonuses linked to productivity, while hospital-based roles typically offer more stability and benefits. This mix of employment types in Panama City suggests a competitive environment where physical therapist pay in Panama City, FL can differ significantly depending on practice settings and patient care models.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,271 | $31.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,257 | $38.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,970 | $45.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,122 | $49.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,071 | $58.69 |
Median Salary Position
9.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Panama City
In Panama City, FL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,800 (2026 est.). At $94,970, the local median is 9.8% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Panama City: You'd be above the median
How Panama City Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Panama City median: $94,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Panama City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $102,560 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -9.80% less |
Physical Therapists in Panama City, FL earn a median of $94,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.80% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.40% below the Florida state average of $102,560.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Panama City has a cost of living 2.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Panama City, FL has a cost-of-living index of 97.296 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $94,970 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,609 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.78% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,800
2025 BLS Actual
$92,690
2026 Current Est.
$94,970
2019–2027 Growth
+19.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Panama City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 13.3% from $81,800 (2019) to $92,690 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,506 (18.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Panama City 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) | $66,271 – $80,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,257 – $94,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,970 – $102,122 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,122 – $122,071 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Panama City
The job market for physical therapists in Panama City currently employs around 160 professionals, and the area's cost of living index stands at 97.296, indicating it is slightly below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home pay and overall purchasing power, making the compensation more appealing despite being lower than national figures. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities generally pay more than outpatient clinics, especially for physical therapists with specialized board certifications such as OCS or SCS, which can command higher salaries. The variability between low and high compensation levels often hinges on productivity expectations, treatment models, and whether practices operate on a cash-pay or insurance basis. To maximize earning potential in Panama City, new graduates or seasoned therapists should consider enhancing their credentials, seeking specialty certifications, and evaluating different employer types to align salaries with personal career goals effectively.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Panama City, FL in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Panama City?
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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 $92,690 for physical therapistsin the Panama City 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