Physical Therapist Salary in Winter Garden, FL: $98,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Winter Garden, FL earns a median $98,920/year (≈ $47.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Winter Garden's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $98,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winter Garden, Florida, a physical therapist can expect to earn a median annual salary of $98,920 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range reflects varying levels of experience and productivity expectations, with entry-level positions starting around $80,085 and more seasoned professionals earning as much as $127,669. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, with adjustments for local cost-of-living factors. As productivity pressures impact compensation, therapists may find themselves working diligently to meet visit quotas, significantly influencing their effective hourly rates in this market.
About the Winter Garden Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,085 | $38.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,069 | $41.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,202 | $55.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,669 | $61.38 |
Median Salary Position
6.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winter Garden
In Winter Garden, FL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,584 (2026 est.). At $98,920, the local median is 6.05% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winter Garden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winter Garden Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Winter Garden median: $98,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winter Garden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $102,508 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -6.05% less |
Physical Therapists in Winter Garden, FL earn a median of $98,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.05% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.50% below the Florida state average of $102,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winter Garden has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winter Garden, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,920 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,135 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$84,031
2025 BLS Actual
$96,545
2026 Current Est.
$98,920
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Winter Garden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,031 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,837 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,679 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,419 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,545 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winter Garden metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,031 (2019) to $96,545 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,322 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winter Garden 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) | $80,085 – $86,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,069 – $98,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,920 – $116,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,202 – $127,669 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Winter Garden
Currently, there are only 10 physical therapists employed in Winter Garden, indicating a niche market that may offer limited competition and unique employment opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 100.8, suggesting that while expenses are slightly above the national average, they remain manageable for most professionals. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains like ATI and Athletico, commonly employ therapists in the area, but those working in hospital systems may have the advantage in terms of higher pay. The disparity in salaries can often be traced back to differing productivity models, board certifications, and whether therapists practice in cash-pay or insurance settings. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential in Winter Garden, pursuing specializations such as OCS or SCS, and seeking positions in established health systems could be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Winter Garden, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Winter Garden, FL in 2026?
Is Winter Garden, FL a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Winter Garden?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Winter Garden?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Winter Garden?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $96,545 for physical therapistsin the Winter Garden 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 Winter Garden 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