Physical Therapist Salary in Plant City, FL: $97,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Plant City, FL earns a median $97,074/year (≈ $46.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Plant City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $96,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Plant City, Florida, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $97,074. This figure highlights a competitive pay scale within the local job market, with salaries ranging from $75,209 at the 10th percentile to $125,226 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, reflect the influence of trends like cash-pay sports and orthopedic practices that elevate top-end earnings. Although the median in Plant City falls approximately 7.80% below the national average of $105,288, the salary range indicates that opportunities for higher earnings exist, particularly for specialists who can meet the demands of an increasingly productivity-focused environment.
About the Plant City Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,209 | $36.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,267 | $39.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,074 | $46.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,997 | $54.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,226 | $60.21 |
Median Salary Position
7.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plant City
In Plant City, FL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,017 (2026 est.). At $97,074, the local median is 7.8% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plant City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plant City Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Plant City median: $97,074/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plant City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $102,507 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.80% less |
Physical Therapists in Plant City, FL earn a median of $97,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.80% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.30% below the Florida state average of $102,507.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plant City has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plant City, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,074 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,304 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,462
2025 BLS Actual
$94,743
2026 Current Est.
$97,074
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Plant City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,462 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,096 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,931 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plant City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,462 (2019) to $94,743 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,000 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plant 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) | $75,209 – $82,267 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,267 – $97,074 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,074 – $113,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,997 – $125,226 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Plant City
Analyzing the local job market, Plant City employs a small cohort of just seven physical therapists, which could suggest limited competition and unique opportunities for niche practices. With a cost-of-living index of 100.8, while slightly above the national average, therapists must consider how this affects take-home pay and lifestyle choices. Among the potential employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics—especially chains like Athletico and time-critical settings in sports medicine—tend to offer the most competitive salaries, often influenced by productivity models and the potential for bonuses. Understanding factors like clinic ownership equity, board certifications, and the choice between cash-pay and insurance models can significantly impact earnings. For physical therapists in Plant City, those looking to optimize their compensation should strategically navigate the landscape by pursuing specialized certifications like OCS or SCS and aligning themselves with practices that reward high productivity.
More salary data for Plant City, 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 $94,743 for physical therapistsin the Plant 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
Salary data for Plant City 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