PT Assistant Salary

Miami vs North Lauderdale: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Miami, FL and North Lauderdale, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Miami, FL
$74,510
$35.82/hr
North Lauderdale, FL
$67,898
$32.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLNorth Lauderdale, FL
Median Salary$74,510$67,898
Hourly Rate$35.82$32.65
Entry Level (P10)$63,426$46,349
25th Percentile$67,504$62,060
75th Percentile$74,818$75,876
Top Earner (P90)$81,773$83,637
Total Employed3,4207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($74,510) and North Lauderdale ($67,898) physical therapist assistant salaries.MiamiNorth LauderdaleMedian Salary$74,510$67,898Entry Level (P10)$63,426$46,349Top Earner (P90)$81,773$83,637US Median $70,247

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Lauderdale.

The salary gap between Miami and North Lauderdale is $6,612 (9.74%). Miami's median is +6.07% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $18,347,North Lauderdale spans $37,288. North Lauderdale has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$63,426
P25$67,504
Median$74,510
P75$74,818
P90 (Top)$81,773
North Lauderdale
P10 (Entry)$46,349
P25$62,060
Median$67,898
P75$75,876
P90 (Top)$83,637

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Lauderdale ($67,359 effective) pays 3.20% more than Miami ($65,271 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $74,510
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $65,271
North Lauderdale
Nominal: $67,898
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $67,359

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,510/year)
  • Larger job market (3,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose North Lauderdale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,637)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,359)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Miami grew 18.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in North Lauderdale over the same period.

Miami, FL

+18.3%

$61,330 (2019) → $72,530 (2025)

North Lauderdale, FL

+2.4%

$64,540 (2024) → $66,094 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Miami or North Lauderdale?

Miami has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $74,510/year, compared to North Lauderdale at $67,898/year — a difference of $6,612 (9.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and North Lauderdale?

Miami physical therapist assistants earn $35.82/hr while North Lauderdale hygienists earn $32.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to North Lauderdale as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and North Lauderdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $65,271, North Lauderdale = $67,359), job availability (3,420 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Miami vs North Lauderdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $63,426 in Miami and $46,349 in North Lauderdale. The Miami area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov